Early voting

In November 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites before statewide and federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections.

Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day.

During the early voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can then insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.

Both early in-person voting and absentee voting allow voters to cast a ballot prior to Election Day. However, there are key differences between the two methods of voting.

Early voting allows voters to cast a ballot similar to how they would do so at a polling place on Election Day. Voters are issued a ballot and can personally insert it into the tabulator at their early voting site.

Absentee voting allows voters to request a ballot by mail or in person at their local clerk’s office. Voters can complete their absentee ballot at home or at their local clerk’s office and submit it in an envelope by mail, in person, or by drop box. After an absentee ballot is received by the local clerk, the voter’s absentee ballot is processed and tabulated by their local clerk.

Absentee voters also have more flexibility to “spoil” their ballot, or change their vote, after it has been submitted.

Learn more about absentee voting.

Any registered voter in Michigan has the right to vote early in person at an early voting site for statewide and federal elections in which they are eligible.

Any registered voter in Michigan has the right to vote early in person at an early voting site for local elections in which they are eligible, if the local community offers early voting.

Voters in Michigan can also register to vote up to and on Election Day, including during the early voting period.

Learn more about voter registration.

Early voting is offered for all statewide and federal elections. Communities may also choose to provide early voting for local elections.

For statewide and federal elections, the early voting period takes place for a minimum of nine consecutive days, ending on the Sunday before an election. Communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting, up to 29 days total.

For local elections, each community sets their own schedule of days for early voting.

Early voting sites must be open for at least eight hours each day during the established early voting period.

Visit the michigan.gov web site about Early In-Person Voting