ABSENTEE BALLOT
Absentee Voter Information
Absent voter ballots are available for all elections. They provide voters with a convenient method
for casting a ballot when they are unable to attend the polls on election day.
As a registered voter, you may obtain an absent voter ballot if you are:
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age 60 years old or older
unable to vote without assistance at the polls
expecting to be out of town on election day
in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of
residence.
A person who registers to vote by mail must vote in person in the first election in which he or she
participates. The restriction does not apply to overseas voters, voters who are disabled or voters
who are 60 years of age or older. (Voting in person on one governmental level clears the restriction
on the other levels. For example, if a voter subject to the restriction votes in person at a school
election, the voter would be free to obtain an absentee ballot for the first state election in which he
or she wishes to participate.)
Requesting an Absent Voter Ballot
Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or
township clerk. (For assistance in obtaining the address of your city or township clerk, see http://
www.Michigan.gov/vote) Your request must include one of the six statutory reasons stated above
and your signature. You must request an absent voter ballot by mailing the application, large print
application, a letter, a postcard, or a pre-printed application form obtained from your local clerk's
office. Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no
later than 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election.
Once your request is received by the local clerk, your signature on the request will be checked
against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. You must be a registered voter
to receive an absent voter ballot. Requests for absent voter ballots are processed immediately.
Absent voter ballots may be issued to you at your home address or any address outside of your
city or township of residence.