Election & Voting Information Topics
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(668 KB) How to Vote
To vote, simply appear at your assigned polling place on election day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Absentee Voter Ballots
Absentee Voter Ballots are available for all elections. You may vote with an absent voter ballot if:
You are unable to vote without assistance
You are 60 years of age or older
You expect to be absent from your city, township, or village on election day
You are in jail, awaiting arraignment or trial
You have been assigned to work as a precinct inspector in a precinct other than where you are registered
You are unable to attend the polls because of religious beliefs
If any of these situations exist, you can obtain an absentee voter ballot by writing your city or township clerk. You must state the reason why you need an absent voter ballot and you must sign the request. A pre-printed absent voter ballot application form is available from your city, township, or village clerk upon request.
If you are temporarily outside the U.S. you can use the Federal Postcard Application to apply for an absent voter ballot. The FPCA must be signed under oath unless you, your spouse, or your parents are serving in the Armed Forces or Merchant Marines.
Send the completed application to your city or township clerk for federal, state, city, township, or village elections.
If you want the ballot mailed, your application must be received by 2pm the Saturday before the election. Make your request early to allow for delivery time.
A voter eligible to vote by absent voter ballot may also vote in person at the clerk's office anytime up to 4pm the day before the election.
All absent voter ballots must be received by the clerk's office not later than 8pm on Election Day.
A separate absent voter ballot request must be submitted for each election. If you know before the primary that you will be unable to vote in person at the general election, you may request absent voter ballots for both elections at the same time.
Emergency Absent Voter Ballot
You may be eligible for an emergency absent voter ballot if a family death or illness requires you to leave your community on Election Day or you are unable to attend the polls because of personal illness or accident.
The emergency must have occurred late enough that you could not file a regular absent voter ballot request. Have someone deliver your written request for an emergency absent voter ballot to the clerk's office before 4pm on Election Day.
Emergency ballots must be returned by 8pm on Election Day.
Procedures for the Handicapped
Federal and state laws require every city and township to provide accessible registration and voting locations for those that are handicapped.
If a voter is blind, unable to read English or is otherwise unable to vote independently, he or she may bring a helper or ask the precinct board for assistance. A voter may not bring his/her employer or agent from his/her union or employer to provide voting assistance.
A voter assistance terminal is also available in every precinct.
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