How to check if you're registered to vote in Michigan before November election

Are you unsure if you're registered to vote in Michigan? There's still time to register before the Nov. 5 presidential election. Here's what you need to know about checking your registration status, registering to vote, and how to cast a ballot.

Am I registered to vote in Michigan?

You can check your registration status by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. There, you can also find the address of your local clerk's office.

When is the deadline to register to vote?

In Michigan, you can register to vote up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can do so at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. As we mentioned, if you're unsure if you're already registered to vote, you can check your registration status at michigan.gov/vote.

It's smart to leave yourself some time to make it your polling precinct if you're registering to vote on Election Day itself, or you can submit an absentee ballot right at your local clerk's office.

Polls are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also find your polling precinct at michigan.gov/vote.

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How can I register to vote?

In Michigan, there are multiple ways to register to vote. Within 14 days of an election, you must register to vote in person at your local clerk's office. But before that point, eligible residents can register to vote online at michigan.gov/vote. You can also register to vote through the mail by either printing out a voter registration form and sending it to your local clerk's office, or calling your local clerk and requesting them to mail you a copy of the form.

Mailed voter registration applications must be postmarked as sent at least 15 days before Election Day.

Who is eligible to vote in Michigan?

To register to vote in Michigan, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen

• A Michigan resident for at least 30 days by the time you vote

• At least 17.5 years old, and be 18 by Election Day

• Not currently serving a jail or prison sentence

Within 14 days of an election (including on Election Day itself), you must provide proof of residency. This can include:

• Your Michigan driver’s license or state ID

• A current utility bill

• A bank statement

• A paycheck or government check

• Another government document

At your local clerk's office, you can register to vote and request an absentee ballot on Election Day itself.

Perfect, I'm registered to vote. How do I actually vote?

There are multiple ways to cast your ballot in Michigan. You can vote in person at your polling location on Election Day while polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Your polling precinct will be listed on the voter registration card your local clerk gives you once you're registered, and can also be found at michigan.gov/vote.

When voting in person, you will be asked to sign in and provide an ID. If you do not have an ID, you will be asked to sign a form verifying your identity.

Michigan also allows absentee voting — absentee ballots can be submitted in person at a local clerk's office, at a secure drop box before Election Day or be returned through the mail. Within two weeks of Election Day, officials recommend returning absentee ballots in person to avoid any potential mail delays.

And communities in Michigan will also hold at least nine days of early, in-person voting. In most communities, early voting will begin Saturday, Oct. 26, and run through Sunday, Nov. 3. Other communities, including Detroit, are offering early voting at earlier dates.

Early voting works just like going to the polls on Election Day, except, well, it's earlier. Registered voters can visit an early voting location, fill out their ballots and cast them before Election Day. For voters who want to cast their ballots in person but may have time constraints on Election Day itself, early voting allows another convenient option, advocates say.

You can find an early voting location and its hours in your community at michigan.gov/vote.

Contact Arpan Lobo: [email protected]

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: How to check your voter registration status in Michigan in 2024