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Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day.
• You must be a resident of the city or township where you are applying to vote.
• You cannot be confined to a jail after being convicted or sentenced.

When can I register to vote?

Anytime. However, you must be registered at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. [Voter Registration Application] 


Where can I register?

• At your city or township clerk's office.
• At any of the Secretary of State branch offices located throughout the state.
• At your county clerk's office.
• At any Family Independence Agency office.
• Specified government agencies including the Ingham County Health Department and MESC (Michigan Employment Security Commission).

Can I register by mail?
YES. Individuals who register by mail must vote in person in the first election following their registration. To register by mail, complete the Voter Registration Application and mail it to your local clerk. [Voter Registration Application
]


Do I need to re-register for each election?

NO. Registration in Michigan is permanent as long as you reside at the same address. However, whenever you move to a new city or township, you must re-register to vote. 


How do I obtain and vote by absent ballot?
To obtain an absentee voter ballot, residents must complete an Application for Absent Voter Ballot. Absentee voters have until 4 p.m. on the day before the election to obtain and vote an absentee ballot in person at the City Clerk's office.

Those planning to vote absentee must return their absentee voter ballot by hand or mail to the East Lansing City Clerk's office, 410 Abbot Road, by 8 p.m. on election day. Absentee voters can check the status of their absentee voter ballot online at www.cityofeastlansing.com/avote.

How can I confirm that I am registered and my polling location?

You can go online to www.michigan.gov/vote or call the City Clerk’s office at (517) 319-6914.

Does the address on my Michigan Voter Registration Application have to match the address on my Michigan Driver License?

YES.  If the residence address you provide on the Voter Registration Application differs from the address on your Michigan driver license or personal identification card, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver license or personal identification card address to match the residence address entered on the Voter Registration Application. If an address change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver license or personal identification  card.

If I have an out of state driver license, can I register to vote in the State of Michigan?
YES. If you now reside in Michigan, you may register to vote within the jurisdiction where you currently live. 

What should I do if I have an address or name change?

• If you move within a city or township, you must update your address through your local clerk, at a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.
• If your name changes, you must update your registration through the Secretary of State. Name changes can not be processed through the local clerk.

When are the polls open on Election Day?

Polls open on Election Day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. As long as you are in line at your correct polling location before 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote after the polls close. 


Do I need a Picture ID to vote at the polls?
YES. Starting with the November 6, 2007 election, every Michigan voter who offers to vote at the polls must show picture identification or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification. A ballot cannot be issued to a voter unless the voter displays picture identification or signs the affidavit.

Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day.
• You must be a resident of the city or township where you are applying to vote.
• You cannot be confined to a jail after being convicted or sentenced.

When can I register to vote?

Anytime. However, you must be registered at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. [Voter Registration Application] 


Where can I register?

• At your city or township clerk's office.
• At any of the Secretary of State branch offices located throughout the state.
• At your county clerk's office.
• At any Family Independence Agency office.
• Specified government agencies including the Ingham County Health Department and MESC (Michigan Employment Security Commission).

Can I register by mail?
YES. Individuals who register by mail must vote in person in the first election following their registration. To register by mail, complete the Voter Registration Application and mail it to your local clerk. [Voter Registration Application
]


Do I need to re-register for each election?

NO. Registration in Michigan is permanent as long as you reside at the same address. However, whenever you move to a new city or township, you must re-register to vote. 


How do I obtain and vote by absent ballot?
To obtain an absentee voter ballot, residents must complete an Application for Absent Voter Ballot. Absentee voters have until 4 p.m. on the day before the election to obtain and vote an absentee ballot in person at the City Clerk's office.

Those planning to vote absentee must return their absentee voter ballot by hand or mail to the East Lansing City Clerk's office, 410 Abbot Road, by 8 p.m. on election day. Absentee voters can check the status of their absentee voter ballot online at www.cityofeastlansing.com/avote.

How can I confirm that I am registered and my polling location?

You can go online to www.michigan.gov/vote or call the City Clerk’s office at (517) 319-6914.

Does the address on my Michigan Voter Registration Application have to match the address on my Michigan Driver License?

YES.  If the residence address you provide on the Voter Registration Application differs from the address on your Michigan driver license or personal identification card, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver license or personal identification card address to match the residence address entered on the Voter Registration Application. If an address change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver license or personal identification  card.

If I have an out of state driver license, can I register to vote in the State of Michigan?
YES. If you now reside in Michigan, you may register to vote within the jurisdiction where you currently live. 

What should I do if I have an address or name change?

• If you move within a city or township, you must update your address through your local clerk, at a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.
• If your name changes, you must update your registration through the Secretary of State. Name changes can not be processed through the local clerk.

When are the polls open on Election Day?

Polls open on Election Day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. As long as you are in line at your correct polling location before 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote after the polls close. 


Do I need a Picture ID to vote at the polls?
YES. Starting with the November 6, 2007 election, every Michigan voter who offers to vote at the polls must show picture identification or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification. A ballot cannot be issued to a voter unless the voter displays picture identification or signs the affidavit.