Voter Rights in Michigan

• Registration and Polling Place: Check at MI.gov/vote
• Detroit voters: You may vote at a satellite location on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. to a drop box, satellite office, or city/township clerk’s office.
• Same-Day Registration: You may register and vote at your city or township clerk’s office until 8 p.m. on Election Day with proof of residency.
• Voting Without Photo ID: Bring ID if you have one. If not, you can complete an affidavit and vote a regular ballot.
• Freedom from Harassment: Election officials must protect you from intimidation or harassment.
• Instructions and Sample Ballots: You have the right to see a sample ballot and ask for help with the process.
• Accessible Voting: Voters with disabilities may vote privately using accessible machines available at every polling place.
• Assistance in Voting: You may bring someone of your choice (except your employer or a union officer/agent) to help you in the booth.
• Correcting Mistakes: If you make an error or a ballot is rejected, you can request a new ballot. Absentee ballots can be “spoiled” and replaced at your clerk’s office or a satellite location.
• No Time Limit: You cannot be forced to rush or end your voting time early.
• Rights of People with Convictions: You may vote if you are not currently serving a sentence, or if you are awaiting conviction in jail, on probation, or on parole.
• Materials in the Booth: You may bring a sample ballot, endorsement list, or slate card.
• Secret Ballot: You have the right to cast a private ballot.
• In Line at 8 p.m.: If you are in line by closing time, you must be allowed to vote.

Registration & Same-Day

In Michigan, you can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. If you miss the deadline, you can still register and vote in person at your city or township clerk’s office on Election Day until 8 p.m. — just bring proof of residency.

• Learn more
• Same-Day Registration guide (PDF)

Voting Without ID

Michigan law asks voters to show photo ID, but you cannot be turned away if you don’t have one. Instead, you can complete a simple affidavit stating that you don’t have ID with you, and you will be given a regular ballot.

• Tap here for more details

Assistance & Disability Access

Every polling place in Michigan must provide accessible voting machines so voters with disabilities can cast a private ballot. If you need help reading, writing, or marking your ballot, you may bring a person of your choice into the voting booth, as long as it is not your employer or a union representative.

• Tap here for more on accessible voting and rights

Correcting Mistakes

If you make a mistake on your ballot or if a ballot is rejected by the tabulator, you have the right to request a new one. Absentee voters can also “spoil” a ballot that never arrived or that they want to replace by contacting their clerk’s office before polls close.

• Tap here to check procedures

Felon Voting Rights

In Michigan, people with felony convictions regain their right to vote once they are no longer serving a sentence. That means you may vote if you are on probation, on parole, or in jail awaiting trial — only those currently serving a sentence in prison are not eligible.

• Tap here for eligibility details
• Tap here for a civil rights overview

Ballot Privacy & Samples

Michigan voters have the right to a secret ballot. You may also take a sample ballot, endorsement list, or slate card into the booth with you. In addition, you can ask to see a sample ballot at your polling place before you vote.

• Tap here for more voter information