November’s Election Day less than a month away, which means voters in Michigan can request and fill out absentee ballots so they can avoid taking time to travel to a polling place on Nov. 4.
Voters who obtain an absent voter ballot have several options for returning them, right through Election Day.
In addition to mailing the ballot back to your local clerk, you can return them via a secure drop box in the city or township where you live, according to the Michigan Department of State. If you run out of time to mail it back, you can even drop it off on Election Day.
What am I voting for in 2025 in Michigan?
On Election Day this year, voters may be using their constitutional right to vote ballot measures, mayoral or city council races which vary by location.
To check what will be on your ballot this year, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center’s website.
When can I get an absentee ballot?
Key dates related to absent voter ballots in Michigan:
-
Absent voter ballots become available to voters: Sept. 25
-
Deadline to provide secure drop boxes 24 hours per day: Sept. 25
-
Daily collection of AV ballots from drop boxes begins: Sept. 30
-
Deadline for voters who have returned a ballot to submit a request to spoil the ballot and receive a new AV ballot in the clerk’s office: 5 p.m. Oct. 24
-
Deadline for voters who have returned a ballot to submit a request to spoil the ballot and receive a new AV ballot by mail: 5 p.m. Oct. 24
-
Deadline to cure a signature on an AV ballot application and receive one via mail: 4 p.m. Oct. 31
-
Deadline for clerks to mail an absent voter ballot: 5 p.m. Oct. 31
-
Deadline for those who have lost their absentee ballot or not yet received their ballot in the mail to submit a written request to spoil their absent voter ballot and receive a new absent voter ballot by mail: 5 p.m. Oct. 31
-
Deadline for those who have lost their ballot or did not receive it in the mail to submit a written request to spoil the original and obtain a new ballot in person: 4 p.m. Nov. 3
-
Deadline to apply for AV ballot in person at clerk’s office: 4 p.m. Nov. 3
-
Deadline to obtain and vote absentee in person: Election Day, Nov. 4
-
Deadline for emergency absentee voting: 4 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4
How can I return my absentee ballot?
Michigan voters who request an absent voter ballot have multiple options for returning it once they have filled it out, including:
By mail: The Michigan Secretary of State Office encourages voters to mail in their ballots at least two weeks before Election Day to avoid mail delays. A pre-paid envelope is provided for voters who vote absentee.
Drop box: Voters can return a completed and signed ballot to one of their clerk’s secure drop boxes located in their city or township. To find out where your clerk’s drop box locations click here. Ballots returned to a drop box in the wrong jurisdiction could face delays or end up not being received in time to be counted.
On Election Day (except in Detroit): Voters can return their absentee at the polling place where they normally vote. You can find your polling place at michigan.gov/vote.
At an early voting site: Voters can return their absentee ballot at their early voting site. You can find your early voting site at michigan.gov/vote.
At a clerk’s office: Voters can also return their absentee ballot to their local clerk’s office. You can find your clerk’s office at michigan.gov/vote.
Ballots must be inserted into a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. If you’re mailing your ballot, it must be received by your local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Tracking your absentee 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.
Detroit Free Press reporters Clara Hendrickson and Arpan Lobo contributed to this report.
Jalen Williams is a reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What to know about voting absentee in Michigan for 2025. Dates, rules, tracking
