Want to vote from home in Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election?

If you are not already on the Permanent Mail Ballot List, coalition partners recommend requesting your absentee ballot online or submitting a paper application by July 14. This gives you time to receive your ballot, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

After July 14, coalition partners recommend requesting an absentee ballot in person at your city or township clerk’s office.

Step 1: Request your absentee ballot

All registered Michigan voters can vote by absentee ballot.

You can request an absentee ballot online or by submitting a paper application to your city or township clerk.

If you vote from home in every election and usually receive your ballot at the same address, you can also sign up for the Permanent Mail Ballot List. To join, check the box on your absentee ballot application saying you want to automatically receive a ballot by mail for each future election you are eligible to vote in.

Step 2: Complete and return your application

If you complete your absentee ballot application online at mi.gov/vote, you are done.

If you use a paper application, be sure to sign it with your official signature. That is the signature you used on your driver’s license or voter registration application.

You can return a paper application to your city or township clerk by mail, email, in person, or by using a secure drop box in your city or township.

Step 3: Vote your absentee ballot

When your absentee ballot arrives, fill it out, place it in the envelope provided, and sign the envelope with your official signature.

Step 4: Return your completed ballot

Return your completed absentee ballot as soon as possible.

You can return your ballot by mail. No stamp is needed because ballot return envelopes include prepaid postage.

You can also return your ballot to your clerk’s office or to a secure drop box in your city or township.

You may also take your completed absentee ballot to your polling place on Election Day and insert it into a tabulator. Bring the ballot and ballot envelope with you. Let the poll workers know when you arrive that you want to do this.

For most voters, completed absentee ballots must be received by the city or township clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, August 4, to count.

If you are serving in the military or living overseas, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by your city or township clerk by Monday, August 10.

Key dates for voting from home

Now: You can vote in person with an absentee ballot at your city or township clerk’s office. You can also request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application if you want to vote from home and are not already on the Permanent Mail Ballot List.

July 14: Coalition partners recommend requesting your absentee ballot by this date if you want to vote from home. After July 14, request an absentee ballot in person at your city or township clerk’s office.

July 20: Last day to register to vote online or by mail.

July 21: Starting July 21, voters who need to register must do so in person at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. For most voters, this is also the last day coalition partners recommend returning an absentee ballot by mail to avoid delays.

Starting July 22: Coalition partners recommend returning completed absentee ballots in person to your city or township clerk’s office or to a secure drop box in your city or township.

August 4: Election Day. Most absentee ballots must be received by the city or township clerk by 8:00 PM to count.

For more August 4 Primary Election dates, including voter registration, early voting, and Election Day information, read VAAC’s full August 4 Primary Election guide.

Make your voting plan now

Voting from home is an option for every registered Michigan voter, but timing matters.

Request your ballot early and return it as soon as possible. Use mi.gov/vote to check your registration, find your clerk, request an absentee ballot, track your ballot, and find secure drop box locations.