Last-minute Voter Guide

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Still haven’t made plans to vote on or before Tuesday, Nov. 3? We’ve got you covered.

Make sure you’re registered to vote.

In Michigan, you can register to vote and cast that ballot up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday (Nov. 3). Visit michigan.gov/vote to check your registration status online. To register or update your voter registration for the General Election, visit your city or township clerk’s office as soon as possible, but no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can vote in the same visit.

Online registration has closed. In-person registration at your clerk’s office or satellite office involves a five-step verification process. You’ll need to bring proof of residency — like a driver’s license or state ID, utility bills, bank statements or paychecks with your name and current address. To be eligible to vote in this election, you must also be 18 and have been a resident of your local city or township since at least Oct. 4, 2019 — 30 days before Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Note: You cannot register to vote at the polls, but you can register in person at your township or city clerk’s office (with proof of residency) up to and including on Election Day.

Vote early:

All registered voters in Michigan can vote before Election Day using an absentee ballot without any excuse or reason. Those with Michigan IDs can request those ballots online — at michigan.gov/vote — through Friday, Oct. 30. Printed applications, which can be useful for those without Michigan IDs, are also available online and can be signed and returned to your local clerk’s office either in person or via mail, email, fax or drop box.

Several local clerk’s offices have also opened all-in-one voting centers where residents can register to vote, retrieve an absentee ballot and turn it back in during the same visit. In Lansing, for instance, three offices are available for absent voting opportunities.

South Washington Elections Unit

2500 S. Washington Ave.

517-483-4485

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except today (Oct. 28,) which is 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Southside Community Center

5825 Wise Road

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday

Lansing City Hall

9th Floor, 124 W. Michigan Ave.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday

Drive-thru voting (at an outdoor tent) is also available at the Washington Avenue location.

Early voting can continue up until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Under a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling, ballots must arrive at local clerks’ offices by 8 p.m. Election Day in order to be counted.

For that reason, most elections officials are recommending absentee ballots be returned at a local drop box or in-person at a clerk’s office or satellite office rather than mailed. Visit michigan.gov/vote to find the nearest absentee ballot drop off location before the election.

Vote on Election Day:

Reminder: You cannot register to vote at your polling location, but can make a last-minute trip to your local clerk’s office to register and cast your vote until 8 p.m. Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Those still in line at 8 p.m. will be able to vote.

The Capital Area Transportation Authority is offering free bus rides to those able to produce a voter registration card. Call 517-394-1000 to schedule a ride with CATA.

Poll workers — as well as anyone other than a representative of your union or employer — can help you cast your ballot on Election Day. Voters are typically asked for photo identification. Those without one will need to sign an affidavit in order to cast a ballot.

This year, absentee ballots can also be accepted on Election Day but they cannot be dropped off at a voting precinct. Those who already received an absentee ballot can still vote in person, but they must surrender their ballot at their precincts to have them voided.

If you have an emergency that prevents you from going to the polls, you can request an emergency absentee ballot until 4 p.m. Election Day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible to get to the polls. Visit michigan.gov/vote for details.

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope has also made details available at lansingvotes.com.

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