News + Features
Voter Tool Kit
August 31, 2012 · Updated March 6, 2019·By BLAC Editorial
What you need to cast your vote in November and how to get it
August 31, 2012 · Updated March 6, 2019
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Here’s everything you need to know and do to get ready.
Registration
Michigan has more than 7.3 million registered voters-are you one of them? If not, here’s how to become one.
Qualifications
To register, you must be:
1) A U.S. citizen
2) A Michigan resident
3) At least 18 years old on Election Day
4) out of jail or prison on Election Day. (Former prisioners are allowed to vote.)
How to Register
You can register to vote for federal, state, and local elections by mail; a form is available at the Secretary of State's website (www.michigan.gov/sos). You also can register at your county, city, or township clerk's office or by visiting any Secretary of State branch office.
The Departments of Human Services, Community Health and the Career Development also offer registration services.
You must re-register to vote whenever you move to a new city or township. State law dictates that the same address be used for voter registration and driver's licenses. If you move, you must update your address at your local clerk, Secretary of State branch, by mail or at any other registration locations.
You must register at least 30 days before the election; for the Nov. 6 election, the last day is Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Your voter registration card will be mailed to you. You don’t have to show it to vote. However, if you lose it, contact your city or township clerk for a new one.
Finding Your Voting Location
Your polling place is listed on your voter registration card; you must vote at your assigned polling location. You also can find out your polling place by calling your city or township clerk or online at Michigan.gov/Vote or Publius.org.
On Election Day, you will be asked to present voter identification. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Michigan driver's license
- Michigan personal identification card
- Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
- Federal or state government-issued photo identification
- U.S. passport
- Military identification card with photo
- Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
If you don't have ID, you can still vote by signing an affidavit. A person who registers by mail must vote in person, at least during their first election as a registered voter.
Voting Hours
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote if you are in line when the polls close.
Absentee Voting
Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot if they are:
- at least 60 years old
- unable to vote without assistance at the polls
- expecting to be out of town on Election Day
- in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
- unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
- appointed as an election worker outside of their precinct.
Voters have to complete and return their absentee voter ballot to the clerk's office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Your signature must be on the return envelope and must match your signature on file. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed ballot to your clerk's office.
If you can’t go to your polling place, due to an emergency-such as a sudden illness or family death-you can request an emergency absentee voter ballot. Requests must be submitted before 4 p.m. on Election Day. The emergency must have made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absentee voter ballot.
Potential Problems at the Polls
If you’re not on the voter list:
Ask the poll worker to check the list again and confirm that you’re at the right polling place. If the poll worker doesn’t find you on the list, show your voter ID card or registration receipt to prove it’s your correct precinct.
If you don’t have your voter ID card or registration receipt, ask for a provisional ballot.
If someone challenges your right to vote:
Ask to be sworn in and answer the questions necessary to establish eligibility. Once eligible, you can cast a ballot.
If someone tries to intimidate or harass you:
Tell a poll worker immediately. If a poll worker presents a problem, tell a poll watcher, call your local clerk or call one of these election hotline numbers:
Election Protection Hotline:
1-866-687-8683
Michigan Bureau of Elections:
517-373-2540
U.S. Department of Justice:
1-800-253-3931
ACLU Voting Rights Project:
877-523-2792
ACLU of Michigan:
313-578-6800
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