Absentee voting begins in Michigan: When ballots will arrive, how to request or track one

Election Day is more than a month away. But beginning Thursday, Michigan voters will start receiving and casting their absentee ballots.

Every voter in Michigan has the right to request an absentee ballot without needing to specify a reason why they can't — or would prefer not to — vote in-person at their polling location on Nov. 5.

Michigan voters in recent years have given themselves new voting options, first in 2018 when they approved a ballot measure to expand absentee voting access to all voters and again in 2022 when they adopted an amendment to the state constitution to create an early voting system in the state.

Absentee ballots have already gone out to military and overseas voters, but Thursday marks the start of the 40-day absentee voting period for all Michigan voters to weigh in on the presidential, U.S. Senate, congressional, state House and other down-ballot races.

To cast an absentee ballot, first check if you're registered to vote.

Michigan Voter Guide: Key Races

Confirm your voter registration status

Visit the state's voter information website mvic.sos.state.mi.us and click "Am I registered?" Once on that webpage, you can enter your first and last names, birth month and year and zip code to check if you're registered to vote. Or, you can enter your driver's license number and birth month and year to confirm your registration status.

If you're not registered to vote, you can do that online by going to mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "Preregister or register to vote online."

You can vote in Michigan if you're a resident in the state, are a U.S. citizen, will be at least 18 years old by Election Day and are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

How to request an absentee ballot

If you didn't opt to automatically receive an absentee ballot for all future elections earlier this year by adding your name to Michigan's permanent absentee voter list, you'll have to request an absentee ballot. You can check to see if you're on the permanent absentee voter list by looking up your voter information at mvic.sos.state.mi.us, clicking on "Your voter information" and filling out the search form.

If you're not on the list, you'll need to apply for an absentee ballot. Visit mvic.sos.state.mi.us and click "Apply for an absentee ballot online." While you technically have until 5 p.m. Nov. 1 to request an absentee ballot online, the Secretary of State's office recommends requesting an absentee ballot in person at your local clerk's office to avoid postal delays if you're requesting it Oct. 22 or later. You have up until 4 p.m. the day before Election Day to request an absentee ballot in person at your local clerk's office if you're registered to vote at your current address.

You can also call your local clerk's office to request an absentee ballot application be mailed to you. Or, you can download the absentee ballot application online by visiting mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "What are my other options for requesting an absentee ballot?" where you'll find the absentee ballot application available for download in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi and large print.

You can return the application to your local clerk by mail or drop box, return it in person or email the form to your local clerk (make sure your signature is visible). Absentee ballot applications provided by a Michigan election official will have prepaid postage, so there's no need to add a stamp if you're returning it by mail. Mail requests for an absentee ballot must be received by your local clerk by 5 p.m. Nov. 1.

You can find the address, hours, drop box location and contact information for your local clerk by visiting mvic.sos.state.mi.us, clicking "Your clerk" and entering your address or county and then selecting the municipality where you live.

How to return your absentee ballot

Once you have your absentee ballot, you have until Nov. 5 to fill it out and return it. But it never hurts to turn it in early if you're ready!

Your absentee ballot will come with an envelope for returning it to your local clerk. The postage is prepaid. Just pop it into your nearest mailbox or place it in an absentee ballot drop box. You can find the location or locations of your drop box by visiting mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "Where are my ballot drop boxes?"

Drop boxes are accessible 24/7 until 8 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 5 for returning absentee ballots. As that day nears, election officials often encourage voters to use drop boxes instead of mailboxes to avoid postal delays.

Once early voting starts in Michigan, you can also head to an early voting center where you can place your absentee ballot into the tabulator. Or, you can bring it to your polling place on Election Day.

Don't forget to sign the envelope

Every election, some Michigan voters forget to sign the back of their absentee ballot return envelope. Remember to add your signature before returning your ballot!

You can track the status of your ballot

Track the status of your absentee ballot application and ballot online using the Michigan Voter Information Center. Visit mvic.sos.state.mi.us, click on "Your voter information" and fill out the search form. Once on your page, you can check if your application or ballot has been received.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at [email protected] or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Absentee voting in Michigan: When ballots will start to arrive