Absent Voter Ballot Information
All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by absent voter ballot (vote by mail). You must be a registered voter to receive an absent voter ballot. Your request must be in writing and submitted to the City Clerk's office. Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed must be received by the City Clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. You must apply for an absent voter ballot each election, even if you previously voted by an absent voter ballot, unless you are on the permanent absent voter ballot list.
A voter must submit an absentee ballot application before an absentee ballot can be sent. Voters can request an absentee ballot up to 75 days before an election by submitting a completed absentee ballot application to their local clerk. Absentee ballots are available and distributed beginning 40 days before the election.
Voters in Michigan can now also decide to be placed on a permanent absentee ballot list. The City Clerk will then mail you an absentee ballot for all local, state, and federal elections.
OPTIONS TO APPLY FOR AN ABSENT VOTER BALLOT:
You must apply for an absent voter ballot each election, even if you have previously voted by absent voter ballot.
- Apply online through the Michigan Voter Information Center, or
- Use this link to download and print an Absent Voter Ballot Application, or
- To request an application by mail, call (248) 796 - 5150, or
- Apply in person at the City Clerk's office.
- Come to the Clerk's Office to request to spoil or reissue your Absent Voter Ballot.
Return your Signed Application by One of the Following Methods
- Use the 24-hour drop boxes located around the city, or
- Mail the pre-paid postage application, or
- The voter or any member of the immediate family of the voter may deliver the application to the Clerk's office, or
- In the event an applicant cannot return the application in any of the above methods, the applicant may select any registered elector to return the application. The person returning the application must sign the Certificate of Authorized Registered Elector Returning Absentee Ballot Application found on the application form.
Returning an Absent Voter Ballot
The voted ballot must be returned to the City Clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks are not accepted. Voters are encouraged to return their voted ballot as soon as it is completed. Deliver your completed and signed ballot by one of the following methods:
- Place in the 24-hour dropboxes throughout the city or hand deliver to City Clerk's Office Drop Box [recommended to avoid postal delays], or
- Mail the ballot through US mail. Postage has been pre-paid and there is no need to add any additional postage, or
- The voter or any member of the voter's immediate family may mail or deliver the ballot to the Clerk's office
Use this link to see when the Clerk marks your absentee ballot as received and ready for processing on Election Day
Voter Tabulation of AV Ballots
Starting at the presidential primary election in 2024, voters may bring their AV ballot to the early voting site or their polling place on Election Day and tabulate their AV ballot. Voters should bring their ballot in its envelope and secrecy sleeve to the EV site or polling place. Their photo ID and AV ballot number will be verified and documented on their Application to Vote. They will be directed to a voting booth to mark their ballot (if needed) and then directed to tabulate their ballot.
