Vote in the Nov. 5 Presidential Election

Cast your ballot early, absentee or on Election Day

Michigan will hold a presidential election on Nov. 5 and your vote is needed to help determine representation at the local, state and national levels, members of the judiciary and the outcome of local ballot proposals.

Early voting continues through this weekend with varied hours and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting on Election Day. Michigan's new "I voted" stickers will be available in most locations. Check your registration status at the Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote. The Secretary of State encourages voters who already have an absentee ballot at home to fill it out and sign the back of the envelope. To avoid any postal service delays, voters should deliver it to their city or township clerk's office or secure ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Early voting

The opportunity to vote early in person is available to voters in every city and township in Michigan through Sunday, Nov. 3. Early voting is an experience similar to voting on Election Day. Voters are issued a ballot and can then insert it directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.

The location of your early voting site may differ from your normal polling location because voters from more than one precinct, city or township may be assigned to a single, shared early voting site.

To learn more, and to find your early voting site and hours, visit Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.

Voting and returning an absentee ballot All city and township clerks are offering office hours this weekend, Nov. 2 and/or 3. Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to find your clerk's location and hours. If you're already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk's office up until 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election (Nov. 4). If you still have your absentee ballot and decide that you want to vote in person, you may do so by voting and placing your absentee ballot in the tabulator, or surrendering the ballot at your early voting site or polling place. If you lost your absentee ballot or if it was destroyed, you may sign a statement affirming this and vote at the polls. Election Day voting Polling places will be open in every jurisdiction on Election Day for voters who want to vote in person.  Each polling location will have at least one voting station adapted to allow a person to vote while seated. In addition, all voters, including voters with disabilities, have access to a voter assist terminal (VAT) in all polling places. The VAT helps the voter mark a ballot. It will mark the ballot with the voter's choices but does not tally the votes. Once the ballot is marked, it is counted in exactly the same fashion as all other ballots.

You can register to vote through Election Day

Citizens who are not yet registered to vote but who wish to register and vote in the Nov. 5 election may do so at the office of their city or township clerk until 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your clerk's information at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Proof of residency must be provided if registering within two weeks of an election. Acceptable documents include a driver's license, state ID card, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document. Documents must have name and current address. Digital copies are acceptable.

Report election misinformation and voter intimidation

Efforts to confuse voters – about the election process and their rights – are designed to sow mistrust in our election process and undermine our democracy. Fighting back against them is critical to ensuring our elections are a secure and accurate reflection of the will of the people.

• Be a critical consumer of media and only share information that is based on facts and the law. Rely on the Department of State, clerks, and their websites as trusted, official sources.
• Visit Michigan's Election Fact Center at Michigan.gov/ElectionFacts for helpful information that debunks misinformation. Additional materials are available at Michigan.gov/VoterEducation.
• Our elections are secure, accurate and fair. Thousands of Republican, Democratic, and nonpartisan election clerks, staff, and volunteers make sure this is true every election.

Before, during or after Election Day, if you encounter election-related information that may be misleading or incorrect, please report it by emailing details and a photo of the misinformation if possible to [email protected].

Additionally, should you witness any voter intimidation, harassment or coercion, please report it. Notify an election worker or contact the nonpartisan election protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.