From Promote the Vote, 9/25/24

From what we’ve been hearing, it sounds like there’s still a fair amount of confusion about both the Permanent Mail Ballot List (PMBL) and its predecessor–the permanent application list. With absentee ballots available tomorrow (!!!), we thought we’d take this opportunity to share some important reminders:

• Those who are on the PMBL should automatically get a ballot in the coming days. MI.gov/vote has now been updated to allow voters to check whether they’re on the PMBL. Simply click on your voter information, enter the required information, and view the “Absentee Ballot” box. If it says that you are on the PMBL, you should be able to track the status of your ballot. If, by early next week, MI.gov/vote does not show that your clerk has mailed you your ballot, we recommend contacting your clerk to see what’s going on. (You can also call or text 866-OUR-VOTE for assistance.)

• If you’re on the permanent application list, you may–or may not–get an application in the mail. In some cases, local clerks sent absentee ballot applications to that list before the February Presidential Primary. And because those applications also allowed voters to apply for a ballot for the August and November elections, we’ve heard that some clerks do not plan to resend applications before November. We’ve also heard rumors that other clerks have already phased out the application list, despite guidance from the Bureau of Elections directing clerks not to phase out the application list until after November 2024. If you’re on the permanent application list, and you need an application, we encourage you to apply for a ballot online, download and print an application and send it in, or contact your local clerk to ask them to mail you an application.

• Those on the application list won’t be automatically transferred to the PMBL. If you want to join the PMBL, you must affirmatively sign up. You can sign up for the list when you apply for your November ballot. Simply check the box that you’d like to automatically receive a ballot before each future election.

The Permanent Mail Ballot List is a list of voters who have signed up to automatically receive a ballot by mail before each election. Previously, Michigan voters could sign up to receive an absentee ballot application before each election. The Permanent Mail Ballot List allows voters to sign up to receive a ballot before every election, eliminating the need to submit a new application each time. You can sign up to join the Permanent Mail Ballot List when you apply for your absentee ballot for an upcoming election. Simply check the box on the application indicating that you’d like to automatically receive a mail ballot for each future election. 

Any Michigan voter can join the Permanent Mail Ballot List. However, the list is best suited for voters who wish to vote from home in every election and who generally receive their mail ballot at the same address for each election. Voters who wish to vote from home in every election, but who may not be at the same address for each election–snowbirds, for example–can also join the list, but they must remember to update their mailing address with their local clerk.

 Remember: Voters on the old application list will NOT automatically be moved to the new Permanent Mail Ballot List. If you’d like to join the new Permanent Mail Ballot List, you must affirmatively sign up. 

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 19: Early starts in Detroit.

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).

Learn how you can sign up to automatically receive a ballot before all future elections at MichiganVoting.org. #MIVoting

 Watch the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myiJ4oK7YIQ&t=1s