You can register to vote in Michigan if:
• You are a U.S. citizen.
• You have lived in a city or township in Michigan for at least 30 days (or will have by Election Day).
• You are at least 17 and a half years old.
• You are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.
I don't have stable housing. Can I vote?
Yes. Even if you don’t have a home or a stable address, you can register and vote using any of these as your address:
• A street corner, a park, or a shelter.
• An advocacy or outreach center.
• The home of someone else who will accept your mail.
• Any other place where you usually stay.
I’m in a psychiatric hospital. Can I vote?
Yes. Psychiatric hospitals must help patients who want to register and vote. You can work with your social worker to register and vote before Election Day by absentee ballot.
I was recently in jail, or I'm in jail now. Can I vote?
Usually, yes. The only time you cannot register and vote is when you are serving a sentence in jail or prison. You can vote even if:
• You have a felony or misdemeanor.
• You are on probation, parole, or tether.
• You are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing – whether you are in jail or not.
I'm a student. Can I vote?
Yes. Students who meet the eligibility requirements above can register to vote, even if they're not from Michigan.
• If you're from Michigan, and you go to school in Michigan, you can register to vote using your school address or home address.
• If you're from Michigan, and you go to school outside of Michigan, you can register to vote using your home address in Michigan.
• If you're not from Michigan, but you go to school in Michigan, you can register to vote using your school address in Michigan.
The same address needs to be used for your Michigan voter registration and Michigan driver’s license or state ID. This means that if you use a different address on your voter registration application, the address on your Michigan driver’s license or state ID (if you have one) will be automatically updated to match your voter registration address. The Secretary of State will mail you a sticker with your new address to place on your license or state ID card.
Upcoming Key Dates for the November 3 Election:
Now: Vote in person, with an absentee ballot, at your city or township clerk’s office. Or, if you want to vote from home, request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application. (If you want to vote from home, we recommend that you request your ballot no later than October 13 to give yourself enough time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk by the deadline.)
October 19: Last day to register to vote online or by mail to vote in the November 3 General Election. (Starting October 20, you’ll need to register in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency.)
October 20: For most voters, this is the last day we recommend returning your absentee ballot by mail to avoid postal delays. (Starting October 21, we recommend returning your ballot in person to your city or township clerk’s office or to a secure drop box in your community.)
October 24: First day of the statewide in-person early voting period. . All communities must offer in-person early voting at a designated early voting site starting on this day. Contact your clerk or visit mi.gov/vote to find out where and when you can vote early in person for the November 3 General Election.
