Michigan’s November 3 General Election is less than two months away. Before voting, make sure your voter registration is up to date at the address where you currently live.

If you have moved, changed your name, or are unsure whether your registration is current, check now so you have the most options for updating it.

Check your registration

You can check your voter registration status at mi.gov/vote by selecting “Your voter information.”

You can also call your city or township clerk’s office and ask whether you are registered to vote and whether your registration is at your current address.

If you are not registered where you currently live, you still have time to register for the November 3 General Election. Michigan allows eligible voters to register through Election Day, although how you register changes as Election Day gets closer.

Register or update your address by October 19

Through October 19, voters have several ways to register to vote or update their voter registration address.

You can register online at mi.gov/vacc, by mail using a voter registration application, or in person.

For the November 3 election, mailed voter registration applications must be postmarked by October 19.

If you are already registered but have moved, make sure your registration reflects the address where you currently live.

Starting October 20, registration must happen at your clerk’s office

Beginning October 20 through 8:00 PM on Election Day, November 3, voters who need to register for this election or update their voter registration address must do so in person at their city or township clerk’s office, or a satellite office if their community offers one, with proof of residency.

Proof of residency. is a document, either paper or digital, that shows your current name and address. Examples include a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, utility bill, bank or credit card statement, insurance document, lease agreement, paycheck, government check, or another government document showing your name and current address.

If you register at your clerk’s office, you can also request and vote an absentee ballot while you are there.

Absentee ballots become available September 24

September 24 is the first day absentee ballots must be available to Michigan voters for the November election. It is also the first day registered voters can vote in person using an absentee ballot at their city or township clerk’s office.

All registered Michigan voters can vote by absentee ballot without giving a reason.

If you plan to vote from home and are not already set to receive an absentee ballot, you can request one online, submit a paper application, or contact your city or township clerk.

If you plan to have your ballot mailed to you, VAAC recommends requesting it by October 13 so there is time to receive it, complete it, and return it to your clerk.

You can use mi.gov/vote to request an absentee ballot and later track when your clerk mails it and when your completed ballot is received.

October 5: Some communities may begin early voting

Beginning October 5, communities may choose to offer in-person early voting at designated early voting sites.

Not every community will begin early voting that day. Check mi.gov/vote or contact your local clerk to find the early voting locations, dates, and hours available to you.

Early voting is different from voting an absentee ballot at your clerk’s office. At an early voting site, you receive a ballot and insert your completed ballot directly into a tabulator, similar to voting at your polling place on Election Day.

October 19: Last day to register online or by mail

October 19 is the last day to register to vote online or by mail for the November 3 General Election.

Starting October 20, you will need to register in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency.

October 20: If you have not mailed your absentee ballot, consider another return option

For most voters, October 20 is the last day VAAC recommends returning a completed absentee ballot by mail to avoid possible postal delays.

October 20 is a recommendation, not the legal deadline for returning your ballot.

If you still have your completed absentee ballot after October 20, you can return it directly to your city or township clerk’s office or place it in an official secure drop box in your city or township.

Michigan voters may also bring a completed absentee ballot to their assigned early voting site during early voting and place it directly into a tabulator.

Most Michigan voters may also bring a completed absentee ballot to their polling place on Election Day for tabulation. Detroit voters cannot use that Election Day option and should instead return their absentee ballot to their clerk or an official drop box.

For most voters, completed absentee ballots must be received by their city or township clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day, November 3, to count.

October 24: Statewide early voting begins

Saturday, October 24 is the first day of Michigan’s required statewide in-person early voting period for the November General Election.

From October 24 through November 1, all communities must offer in-person early voting at a designated early voting site.

Use mi.gov/vote to find your early voting location and hours and to view a sample ballot before you go.

November 1: Last day of statewide early voting

Sunday, November 1 is the final day of Michigan’s required statewide early voting period.

Some communities may also choose to offer early voting on Monday, November 2, until 4:00 PM, so check with your local clerk or mi.gov/vote before making your voting plan.

November 2 at 4:00 PM: Deadline for most registered voters to get an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office

If you are already registered to vote where you currently live, 4:00 PM on Monday, November 2 is the deadline to request and vote an absentee ballot in person at your city or township clerk’s office.

After that deadline, registered voters who have not yet voted can vote at their polling place on Election Day.

Voters who still need to register or update their address have different rules. Eligible voters can still go to their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency through 8:00 PM on Election Day to register and vote.

November 3: Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time.

If you are already registered, use mi.gov/vote to find your polling place and view your sample ballot.

If you still need to register, you can go to your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency through 8:00 PM, register, and then vote.

If you have an absentee ballot that you have not returned, do not put it in the mail on Election Day. Return it to your clerk’s office or an official drop box in your city or township by 8:00 PM.

Military and overseas voters have different deadlines

If you are serving in the military or living overseas, different absentee voting rules apply.

For the November 3 General Election, an eligible military or overseas voter’s ballot can be counted if it is postmarked on or before November 3 and received by the local clerk by November 9.

Military and overseas voters should review Michigan’s specific guidance rather than relying on the general absentee ballot deadlines above.

Make sure you are ready to vote

You do not need to wait until a deadline is approaching. You can check your registration, register if needed, request or track an absentee ballot, find your clerk, look up early voting locations and hours, find your Election Day polling place, view your sample ballot at My Ballot My Power, and locate an official absentee ballot drop box now.

You can also find VAAC’s complete November 3 Election key dates on our website.

Questions or problems voting? Call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).