EARLY VOTING: Early voting is the opportunity to cast a ballot in person at an early voting site before Election Day. 

• For voters, the early voting experience is similar to the experience of voting at a polling place on Election Day and includes getting a ballot and feeding your completed ballot into a tabulator. 
• For the Nov. 5 General Election, early voting sites must be open Saturday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 3 for at least eight hours a day.Some communities (like Canton, Detroit, and East Lansing) will offer additional early voting days and hours. 
• The early voting site for your community may be in your city or township, in a neighboring city or township, or elsewhere in your county depending on how your local clerk chooses to conduct early voting. To find out when and where early voting will be offered in your community, visit mi.gov/vote and click on “Where do I go to Early Vote.”

 VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT: Voting by absentee ballot is the process of requesting a ballot from your city or township clerk, receiving and filling out the ballot, and then, generally, returning the ballot to your city or township clerk either in-person, via secure drop box, or by mail. 

• You can apply for your absentee ballot for the Nov. 5 General Election now. Apply online or submit a paper application. Your can also apply in person at your city or township clerk’s office. (If you want to vote from home, we recommend that you request your ballot by Oct. 15 to give yourself enough time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk by the deadline.)
• You can fill out your absentee ballot anywhere, including at home or (starting September 26) at your city or township clerk’s office. 
• For most voters, your ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 5). If you’re living overseas or serving in the military, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Nov. 11. 

Upcoming Key Dates for the November 5 General Election:

 Now: Request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application. If you want to vote from home, we recommend that you request your ballot by October 15 to give yourself enough time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk by the deadline. (In most cases, your completed ballot must be received by your city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count. However, if you are serving in the military or living overseas, your completed ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your city or township clerk within six days after the election.)

September 26: Absentee ballots must be available for all voters. This is the first day that you can vote in person, with an absentee ballot, at your city or township clerk’s office.

October 21: Last day to register to vote online or by mail (starting October 22, you’ll need to register in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency).

Michiganders have several ways to vote before Election Day, November 5, 2024.  Watch this video to learn more about your options.