How To Vote Early or Absentee in Michigan

Skip the Election Day line with early or absentee voting in Michigan

Published: October 9, 2026 | Last Updated: October 9, 2026

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Michigan voters don't have to wait until Nov. 3 to cast a ballot. Every city and township in the state offers early in-person voting from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, and any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without giving a reason.

For LGBTQ+ voters who'd rather skip the Election Day line, or who want time to read up on every race before filling in a single bubble, both options put you in charge of when and where you vote. Here's how each one works for the general election, based on guidance from the Michigan Secretary of State. For every registration and ballot deadline in one place, see our Michigan voting deadlines explainer.

Voting early in person

Michigan voters added early in-person voting to the state constitution in 2022. The constitution now requires each early voting site to stay open for at least nine consecutive days, for at least eight hours each day, ending the Sunday before the election.

Some communities go further. Starting this year, clerks may add Monday, Nov. 2, as a voting day, and Detroit and Lansing plan to do so. Grand Rapids opens early voting Oct. 20, and Ann Arbor's satellite voting centers open Oct. 21.

Early voting works much like Election Day. You check in, get a ballot, fill it out and feed it into a tabulator yourself. Once the tabulator takes your ballot, your vote is final.

Your early voting site may not be your usual polling place, and you can vote only at a site assigned to your city or township. Look up your site and its hours at the Michigan Voter Information Center. Clerks set hours locally, so check before you head out.

Bring a photo ID if you have one. If you don't, you can sign an affidavit and vote a regular ballot, per the Secretary of State. Our guide to voting while trans or nonbinary in Michigan [LINK TK] covers what to expect if your ID shows a former name or an older photo.

Early voting sites can't register new voters unless the site is also a clerk's office. If you missed the Oct. 19 registration deadline, you can still register in person at your city or township clerk's office with proof of residency, then vote.

Requesting an absentee ballot

Every registered voter in Michigan can vote by absentee ballot, no excuse needed. Ballots became available Sept. 24, 40 days before Election Day, and you can request one three ways, according to the Secretary of State.

Online through the Michigan Voter Information Center by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.
By mail with a paper application, which your clerk must receive by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. You can also drop the application in your clerk's drop box.
In person at your city or township clerk's office by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.

The state recommends applying online or by mail at least 15 days before the election, which makes Oct. 19 a smart target. Mail delivery takes time in both directions, and a late request leaves little room for a ballot to reach you and get back to your clerk.

On the application, you can check a box to join Michigan's permanent absentee ballot list. Your clerk will then mail you a ballot automatically for every local, state and federal election.

Returning your ballot

Your completed ballot must reach your clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks don't count. The Secretary of State encourages voters to mail ballots at least two weeks before Election Day, which means by Oct. 20 for this election. After that, skip the mail and use one of these options instead.

A drop box. The constitution requires at least one secure drop box in every municipality, plus one for every 15,000 registered voters in larger communities, open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Use a drop box for your own city or township, Votebeat notes. Find locations at the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Your clerk's office, any time before 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
An early voting site or your Election Day polling place, where a poll worker confirms your ballot and you feed it into the tabulator. Detroit voters are the exception on Election Day. Their absentee ballots can't be tabulated at polling places, so Detroiters need to use a drop box or the clerk's office.

Tracking your ballot and fixing signature problems

You can track your application and ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote, and the state constitution guarantees a tracking system that tells you about any problem with your ballot. Sign up for email updates there so a notice doesn't get lost in the mail.

When your ballot comes back, your clerk compares the signature on the return envelope with the one on file, usually from your driver's license, state ID or voter registration. If you forgot to sign or the signatures don't match, state law requires your clerk to contact you by phone, email or text when that information is on file, or by mail if it isn't (MCL 168.766a). You can fix it by returning a signature cure form in person, by mail or electronically.

This matters for anyone whose signature has changed since a name change. If the signature on file predates your transition, watch your phone and inbox closely after you return your ballot so you can respond quickly if your clerk reaches out.

Changing your mind

If you requested an absentee ballot but would rather vote in person, bring it with you to an early voting site or your polling place. You can feed it into the tabulator, or surrender it and get a new ballot to fill out there. If your absentee ballot never arrived, you can cancel it at your polling place and vote in person.

If you've already returned your absentee ballot and want to change your vote, your clerk must receive a written, signed request by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Once a ballot goes into a tabulator, at an early voting site or on Election Day, it can't be changed.

What to know at a glance

When can I vote early in Michigan?

Every city and township offers early in-person voting from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, for at least eight hours a day. Grand Rapids starts Oct. 20, Ann Arbor Oct. 21, and Detroit and Lansing plan to add Monday, Nov. 2.

Do I need a reason to vote absentee in Michigan?

No. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot without an excuse. Apply online or by mail by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, or in person at your clerk's office by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. You can also join the permanent absentee list.

Is it too late to mail my absentee ballot back?

The Secretary of State recommends mailing ballots at least two weeks out, by Oct. 20. After that, use a drop box in your own city or township, your clerk's office or an early voting site. Ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. Nov. 3, and postmarks don't count.

What if my signature or ID doesn't match my current name?

Clerks compare your envelope signature with the one on file and must contact you if it doesn't match, so you can return a signature cure form. No photo ID is required to vote in person; you can sign an affidavit instead. Our guide to LGBTQ+ voting rights and resources has more.

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Topics: News Michigan Guides Voter Guide Election 2026 Election Issues Trans Topics

About the Contributor

Sarah Bricker Hunt

Sarah Bricker Hunt, a proud Eastern Michigan University alum and director of content and community engagement for Pride Source/Between The Lines, believes in the power of intentional journalism focused on people building their communities through everyday acts of love and service.

How To Vote Early or Absentee in Michigan