Educate Employees on Voting

All eligible citizens in Michigan must first register to vote, and then they will have options for how they want to cast their ballot.

To register to vote in Michigan, individuals must be:

• A Michigan resident in their city or township for at least 30 days before Election Day
• A U.S. citizen
• Not currently serving time in jail or prison
• *At least 17.5 years old (18 by Election Day)

*If you are at least 16 years old and meet the other eligibility requirements, you can pre-register to vote in Michigan. You will automatically become an active registered voter when you turn 17.5 years old.

To be eligible to vote in Michigan:

• Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a Michigan resident. 
• Individuals with a past conviction are eligible to vote. 
• Individuals on parole or probation are eligible to vote. 
• Individuals in and out of jail waiting to be sentenced are eligible to vote. 
• Individuals who recently received or renewed a Michigan ID or driver’s license are eligible to vote. However, if the next election is less than two weeks from the date you received or renewed your license, you must go to your local clerk’s office with additional documentation to vote in that election. 

There are several ways to register to vote in Michigan, including on Election Day. You can fill out an application to register to vote or update a voter registration: 

• By mail: Download a mail-in voter registration form at Michigan.gov/VoterRegForm or request to have a form mailed to you. All applications must be postmarked at least 15 days before the election.
• At a Secretary of State branch office: If visiting a Secretary of State branch office for a driver’s license or state ID transaction, you will be automatically registered to vote unless you opt not to do so. If you are there for another type of transaction, you may also submit a voter registration form. 
• At your city, township, or county clerk’s office: If you register to vote with your local clerk, you will be asked for ID information, and if registering to vote within 14 days of an election, you must provide a document showing residency. You can also register at any state agency that provides public assistance. 
• Through a voter registration drive: The format can be on paper or online. 

Registration Deadline

The deadline to register to vote and be able to vote in an upcoming election is 15 days before the election if you are registering by any method other than in person with your city or township clerk.

You can register to vote on Election Day up until 8 p.m. in your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency and then vote while you are there. 

There are many different options for employees to vote, including in person and absentee, during the early voting period or on Election Day. Businesses are encouraged to allow employees to have time off between the early voting and in-person election period to ensure that employees have adequate time to vote in whatever manner suits them. 

Vote Absentee: Individuals can vote by mail or at their local clerk’s office. You can apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail, or in person at your local clerk’s office, and   completed and signed ballots can be returned by mail, ballot drop box, or in person at your local clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters are not required to provide a reason to vote absentee.

Vote Early: Individuals can vote at an early voting site to submit their ballots directly for all statewide elections (local election availability varies). Early voting is available for a minimum of nine consecutive days for eight hours each day, ending the Sunday before Election Day. 

Early voting site locations and information will be available 60 days prior to Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote. 

Vote on Election Day: Registered voters can vote at their polling place on Election Day. Unregistered voters can visit their local clerk’s office to register and vote up until 8 p.m. 

• The permanent absentee mailing list allows voters to receive a mailed ballot for every upcoming election. 
• Every community now offers at least one ballot drop box. 
• Prepaid return envelopes are now provided for absentee ballots and applications mailed by your clerk. 
• New absentee ballot-tracking features are available for status updates. 

Individuals can find their local clerk on the Secretary of State’s Michigan Voter Information Center. 

Businesses not only support their employees’ right to vote but also play a crucial role in educating them about the voting process. Here are some valuable tips to share with your employees:

Preview Your Ballot

To preview your ballot, visit Michigan.gov/vote and look up your voter details. This will show you the exact ballot you’ll receive at the polling station or by mail. Sometimes, the ballot includes questions such as millages.

Candidate Research

Social media and websites created by political candidates are a good place to begin your election research and learn about their political platform, affiliations, and endorsements. Additionally, organizations, including Vote411, the Michigan Voter League of Women, and Ballotpedia, are additional resources to search for nonpartisan information.

 Casting Your Vote In-person

Your civic duty is an important responsibility that should not be taken lightly. To aid in casting your vote, you can bring in notes you gathered beforehand about items on your ballot to ensure you have the information necessary to cast your vote.