Please Note: CSI SCs cannot host election related forums, events, speakers, candidates, ballot measure topics, or the like for your educational workshops. CSI SCs can help individual clients apply for an absentee ballot, register to vote, or obtain a state ID card.
Election Days in Michigan
Polls open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Election Date
Nov. 6, 2012 State General Election
Registration Deadlines
Oct. 9, 2012 Last day to register for November general election.
By 2:00 p.m., Aug. 4 Electors who wish to receive an absent voter ballot for the August primary by mail submit absent voter ballot applications
Up to 4:00 p.m., Aug. 6 Electors qualified to obtain an absent voter ballot for August primary may vote in person in clerk’s office.
Up to 4:00 p.m., Aug. 7 Emergency absentee voting for August primary.
By 2:00 p.m., Nov. 3 Electors who wish to receive an absent voter ballot for the November general election by mail submit absent voter ballot applications.
Up to 4:00 p.m., Nov. 5 Electors qualified to obtain an absent voter ballot for November general election may vote in person in clerk’s office.
Up to 4:00 p.m., Nov. 6 Emergency absentee voting for November general election.
OFFICES TO BE ELECTED IN 2012
President/Vice President
U.S. Senator (1 seat)
U.S. Representative in Congress (all 14 districts)
State Representative (all 110 districts)
State Board of Education (2 seats)
University of Michigan Regents (2 seats)
Michigan State University Trustees (2 seats)
Wayne State University Governors (2 seats)
Justice of the Supreme Court
Judge of the Court of Appeals
Judge of the Circuit Court
Judge of the District Court
Judge of Probate
County Offices
Specified City Offices
Township Offices
Specified Village Offices
Specified School District Positions
Absentee voting process
To protect and enhance the integrity of Michigan’s absentee voting process, all election officials are required to observe the legal requirements, practices and policies detailed below.
Eligibility: A registered voter is eligible to obtain an absentee ballot for an upcoming election if he or she: 1) is 60 years of age or more 2) is unable to vote without assistance 3) expects to be absent from his or her city or township of residence for the entire time the polls are open 4) is in jail awaiting arraignment or trial 5) has been appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of his or her precinct of residence or 6) is unable to attend the polls due to his or her religious beliefs.
Eligibility restriction: A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she participates. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are handicapped or voters who are 60 years of age or older.
Application process: A voter who wishes to receive an absentee ballot must request it in writing from the clerk; absentee ballots may not be delivered as a result of an oral request made in person or over the phone. However, an absentee ballot application form may be provided as a result of an oral request.
The written request may be on a form supplied by the clerk or other election official, in a letter or on a postcard. The written request must include a statutory reason why the voter is eligible to receive an absentee ballot and the applicant’s signature.
Forms: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/AV_Process_264249_7.pdf
A Guide to Voter Identification at the Polls
Due to a recent court ruling, every Michigan voter must present picture identification at the polls,
or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification.
Prepare for Election Day
Remember to bring an acceptable form of photo identification to the polls on Election Day. If you don’t have photo ID you can still vote (see Voting Without Photo ID below).
Your photo ID does not need to have your address on it. In addition, the name on your identification card may be a shorter form of your name. For example, “Bill” for “William” and “Kathy” for “Katherine” are acceptable.
After showing your photo ID to the poll worker and signing the application, you may cast your ballot.
Voting Without Photo ID
If you do not have photo ID, you can still cast a ballot simply by signing an affidavit. The affidavit can be used by:
- Voters who do not have acceptable photo ID
- Voters who have photo ID but didn’t bring it to the polls
Once you sign the affidavit, you may cast your ballot. It will be counted with all other ballots on Election Day.
Getting a State ID Card
If you do not have a driver’s license or other acceptable photo identification, you can get a state identification card at your local Secretary of State branch office for $10.
State ID cards are free to individuals who are 65 or older or who are blind. Cards are also free to those who have had driving privileges terminated due to a physical or mental disability.
Proof of identity and residency are required when applying for a state ID card. The fee can also be waived for individuals who present other good cause for a fee waiver. Visit www.Michigan.gov/sos for details on what forms are acceptable in order to prove identity and residency, or call (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).
Related Links
> Poster: Acceptable form of photo identification
> Poster: Notificación para los electores: Entra en vigencia el nuevo requerimiento de identificación para votar
Michigan Voter Information Center
Welcome to the Michigan Voter Information Center! This Web site provides you with a vast assortment of information related to voter registration and election administration in Michigan.
To view your own voter information, you’ll have to log in. Once you log in, you can:
- Determine if you are registered to vote
- Find your polling location
- Contact your local election official
- Learn to use your voting equipment
- Find answers to frequently asked questions
- View your sample ballot
| Please remember that if you don’t think that you will be in town on election day, you can request and obtain an absentee ballot; if you are a registered voter of any age.
Please register to vote and , if you are registered, below, you will find a quick and easy way to confirm that you are still registered to vote
What You Need to Know About Absentee Voting |
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Absentee voter ballots are available for all elections. They provide voters with a convenient method for casting a ballot when they are unable to attend the polls on election day.
As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee voter ballot if you are:
A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she participates. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are handicapped or voters who are 60 years of age or older. (Voting in person on one governmental level clears the restriction on the other levels. For example, if a voter subject to the restriction votes in person at a school election, the voter would be free to obtain an absentee ballot for the first state election in which he or she wishes to participate.)
Requesting an Absentee Voter Ballot
Your request for an absentee voter ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or township clerk. (For assistance in obtaining the address of your city or township clerk, see http://www.Michigan.gov/vote) Your request must include one of the six statutory reasons stated above and your signature. You must request an absentee voter ballot by mailing the application, a letter, a postcard, or a pre-printed application form obtained from your local clerk’s office. Requests to have an absentee voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election.
Once your request is received by the local clerk, your signature on the request will be checked against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. You must be a registered voter to receive an absentee ballot. Requests for absentee voter ballots are processed immediately. Absentee voter ballots may be issued to you at your home address or any address outside of your city or township of residence.
After receiving your absentee voter ballot, you have until 8 p.m. on election day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk’s office. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absentee voter ballot to your clerk’s office.
If an emergency, such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on election day, you may request an emergency absentee voter ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absentee voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on election day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absentee voter ballot. Your local clerk will have more information about emergency absentee voter ballots.
Voting is one of the most cherished and fundamental rights in our country. If you are eligible to obtain an absentee voter ballot and cannot attend the polls on election day, use of the absentee voter ballot is strongly encouraged. |