Michigan Voting Guide: What You Need to Know

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) – Election Day is fast approaching — November 5, 2024, in case you haven’t been paying attention — and in Michigan, mail-in ballots are being sent out ahead of the historic vote.

The race for the White House is attracting the most national attention. Here in Michigan, we will also vote on a new U.S. Senator, as well as all 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the state legislature in Lansing.

How do I register to vote in Michigan?

Registering to vote in Michigan is extremely easy. There are three different ways to register: online, by mail, or in person at your clerk’s office.

You can register to vote online up to two weeks before the election. That means you have until Monday, October 21st to register online or by mail.

The state of Michigan makes it easy to register to vote – Simply go to the Secretary of State’s website and enter the information.

If you have recently moved, you should check that your address is correct so you can vote in person or receive your ballot in the mail.

How do you verify your voter registration?

If you are worried about your registration status, Check it out now.

To vote in Michigan, you must be a U.S. citizen, live in the state, and not currently serving a prison sentence.

Anyone who is at least 16 years old can pre-register to vote. However, someone can only cast their vote from the age of 18. Six months after turning 17, the state automatically registers them to vote.

If you are 18 years old on election day, you can vote.

To register, someone must provide proof of residency, which can include either a driver’s license or state ID, a recent utility bill or bank statement, or a paycheck.

The application can be completed online, at a State Department field office, at the clerk’s office, or by mail. Once the application is processed, the clerk’s office will send a voter registration card.

How to vote by mail in Michigan

In order to vote by post – also known as postal voting – you must apply for a postal vote. Michigan won’t will automatically send you a postal ballot.

You can do this by registering on the Michigan Secretary of State websiteCall your city clerk and ask them to mail you an application that you can download the application on the state website and mail it in or go directly to your clerk’s office.

There are applications available in other languages, including Arabic, Spanish, BengaliAnd Farsi.

Here’s how to request an absentee ballot for the November election in Michigan

If you choose to vote by mail, you will receive a ballot envelope that contains a ballot, a secrecy envelope, and ballot marking instructions. When you receive your ballot, mark your vote just as you would in person. Complete each race according to the instructions on your ballot.

Make sure you sign your ballot or it won’t count. Then return it to your clerk’s office by the deadline.

If you make a mistake — signing in the wrong place, giving the wrong date, signing with a signature that doesn’t match your office’s, or accidentally marking a non-preferred vote — you can request a replacement ballot from your local clerk’s office.

Tracking mail-in ballots in Michigan

The state’s website also allows voters to track the status of their ballot if they’re concerned it wasn’t received on time.

Michigan’s website requires you to provide your voter information for tracking purposes This – this confirms whether your ballot was received on time or not.

Early voting in Michigan

New in 2024 is the opportunity to do this Cast your vote early in Michigan.

Voters receive a ballot, fill it out and send it to a tabulator at an early voting site. It’s like voting in person on Election Day: You go to an approved location to drop off the ballot.

When does early voting start in Michigan?

Early voting in Michigan begins the second Saturday before Election Day. This year that date is October 26th.

Early voting takes place for at least nine consecutive days and must end on the Sunday before Election Day. This year that is November 3rd.

Municipalities can opt for more voting days, up to 29 days.

How to vote in person in Michigan

To vote in person, you need to know where your precinct is and then make sure you’re at least in line by the end of the polls.

You do not need to present your ID to vote. However, you will probably be asked for your ID. If you don’t want to present it, you can sign an affidavit swearing that you are eligible to vote.

When do polls open and close in Michigan?

In Michigan, polls open at 7 a.m. local time and remain open until 8 p.m

Polls in Michigan close at 8 p.m. local time.

For most of the state, that’s 8:00 p.m. ET. However, the far western corner of the Upper Peninsula is on Central Time – meaning polls close at 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET).

What’s on my ballot in Michigan?

The 2024 general election is Tuesday, November 5, and in Michigan we are not considering ballot initiatives like we are in other states. Instead, the biggest races in Michigan come down to the president and who represents the state in the United States House of Representatives and Senate.

Every Michigander will vote for President and the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Debbie Stabenow. In addition, each district will have a different ballot.

You can now preview your ballot on the State of Michigan website.

Once you open the Secretary of State’s website, enter your legal name, month and year of birth, and zip code. A sample ballot paper will then be presented to you.

How are votes counted in Michigan?

This election will be different than ever before. Between early voting and mail-in voting, counting can happen earlier than ever before.

Instead of waiting until 7 a.m. on Election Day to begin counting ballots, clerks can begin counting ballots eight days before November 5th.

Employees told FOX 2 they believe so Discharge of their offices on election day.

How to Report Election Problems in Michigan

If there are serious issues in your district, the State of Michigan wants to hear from you.

They provided forms to the Secretary of State Website where you can lodge a complaint. You can also track all resolved issues.