How to Spoil Your Ballot in Michigan

If you voted absentee and the candidate you choose has since ended their campaign, you may still have options to cancel your original ballot and vote for a candidate who is still in the race. Use the guidance below to choose the situation that applies to you and act before the deadline.

Guidance: 

• If you want to change your vote but you have already returned your absentee ballot to your local clerk:
  • You have until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 24 to submit a signed, written request to your city or township clerk asking them to spoil, or cancel, your original absentee ballot and issue you a new one. If you can, submit this request in person at your clerk’s office so you can pick up your new ballot right away. If you submit the request by mail, your clerk must receive it by 5 p.m. on July 24.
  • Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk <OR> go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk's offices?”

• If you want to change your vote and you still have your absentee ballot because you have not returned it to your local clerk, you have options:
• Option 1: Submit a signed, written request to your local clerk by mail. We recommend mailing your request no later than Tuesday, July 14 so there is enough time for your clerk to receive it and send you a new ballot.
• Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk <OR> go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk's offices?”
• Option 2: Go in person to your city or township clerk’s office by 4 p.m. on Monday, August 3 and submit a signed, written request to spoil, or cancel, your original absentee ballot and vote a new ballot.
• Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk <OR> go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk's offices?”
• Option 3: Go in person to your early voting site or your Election Day polling place on August 4. You can sign a simple form to spoil, or cancel, your original absentee ballot and receive a new ballot to vote on site.
• Find your early voting site: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index#early-voting-search-section <OR> go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where do I go to Early Vote?” 
• Find your Election Day polling place: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index <OR> go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where is my polling place?”