Some candidates may end their campaigns after absentee ballots have already been mailed and after some voters have returned their ballots. Michigan voters who want to change their selection may have options to cancel their original absentee ballot and vote a new one before the August 4 Primary Election.

In this situation, “spoil” means that the original ballot is canceled and will not be counted. The voter can then receive a new ballot. It does not mean that a voter should damage or destroy a ballot.

The steps and deadlines depend on whether the absentee ballot has already been returned to the voter’s city or township clerk.

If You Already Returned Your Absentee Ballot

Your city or township clerk must receive a signed, written request to spoil your original absentee ballot by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 24.

The Election Protection Program recommends submitting the request in person at your clerk’s office when possible. This allows you to receive a new ballot without waiting for it to arrive by mail.

A request may also be submitted by mail, but it must be received by your clerk by 5:00 PM on July 24. A postmark by that date is not enough.

Find your city or township clerk through Michigan.gov/Vote by selecting “Where are my clerk’s offices?”

If You Still Have Your Absentee Ballot

Voters who have not returned their absentee ballot have three options.

Option 1: Request a New Ballot by Mail

Send a signed, written request to your city or township clerk asking the clerk to spoil your original absentee ballot and mail you a new one.

The Election Protection Program recommends mailing the request no later than Tuesday, July 14. This is a recommended mailing date, not the legal deadline. Mailing it by July 14 allows more time for your clerk to receive the request and for you to receive and vote the new ballot.

The clerk must receive the written request by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 24 for a new absentee ballot to be sent by mail. 

Option 2: Visit Your Clerk’s Office

Go to your city or township clerk’s office by 4:00 PM on Monday, August 3.

You can submit a signed, written request to spoil your original absentee ballot and vote a new ballot at the clerk’s office. 

Option 3: Vote at an Early Voting Site or on Election Day

Go to your assigned early voting site or Election Day polling place. Tell an election worker that you want to spoil your unreturned absentee ballot and vote a new one. You will be asked to sign a simple form canceling the original ballot before receiving a new ballot to vote on site.

Michigan’s required early voting period for the August Primary runs from Saturday, July 25 through Sunday, August 2. Election Day is Tuesday, August 4.

You can also visit Michigan.gov/Vote and select “Where do I go to Early Vote?”

When a Vote Cannot Be Changed

A ballot cannot be changed after it has been inserted into a tabulator at an early voting site or Election Day polling place.

The options to surrender an absentee ballot at an early voting site or polling place are only available when the absentee ballot has not already been returned to the clerk. 

Additional Voting Resources

Visitar MichiganVoting.org for information about registering, absentee voting, early voting, and voting on Election Day.

Visitar MyBallotMyPower.org to learn about the candidates and offices that will appear on your ballot.