Apply for an Absentee Ballot

Step 1.All voters are eligible to vote absentee

Serving in the military or living abroad? You'll need to Apply for a Military or Overseas Citizen Absentee Ballot.

Did an unexpected emergency disrupt your voting plans? You can Apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot.

Step 2.Apply for an absentee ballot online

You can apply for an absent voter ballot online starting 75 days before the election. Use the link below to access the Michigan Secretary of State website to apply for a ballot.

Apply Online

Step 3.Learn more about absentee voting

Review our Absentee Voting FAQs to find out more about the process.

Step 1.All voters are eligible to vote absentee

Serving in the military or living abroad? You'll need to Apply for a Military or Overseas Citizen Absentee Ballot.

Step 2.Download or request an application

Download and complete the PDF application. You may e-mail or fax the completed application to us.

Download in English(PDF, 140KB)

Don't have a printer? Call us at 616-456-3010, and we'll mail you an application. You can also come to our office to apply and have your ballot issued. If you apply for an absent voter ballot in person at our office, you will be asked to present a photo ID or sign an Affidavit of Voter not in Possession of Picture Identification form.

Step 3.We'll send you a ballot

We'll send the ballot to the address you provide on your application. This can't be another residential address within the city limits.

Step 4.Return your ballot

When you have completed your ballot, return it to us. Make sure you do this as soon as possible so we get your ballot by 8 p.m. election night. The postmarked date does not apply.

You have three options

• Mail ballot to us in the postage-paid envelope provided.
• Drop it off at the address listed in the Contact Us section of this page
• Place it in on the conveniently place Ballot Drop Boxes.   

Step 5.Learn more about absentee voting

Review our Absentee Voting FAQs to find out more about the process.

Step 1.All voters are eligible to vote absentee

Serving in the military or living abroad? You'll need to Apply for a Military or Overseas Citizen Absentee Ballot.

Step 2.Visit our office to apply

You'll find our address in the Contact Us section of this page. You can apply for a ballot and vote during the same visit. When you apply for an absent voter ballot in our office, you will be asked to present a photo ID or sign an Affidavit of Voter not in Possession of Picture Identification form. We can also answer any questions you have about the process.

We are open the Saturday before the Election from 7 am - 3 pm.

Update your voter registration if it's incorrect

We can help you Update Your Voter Registration if details of your registration are incorrect. If the State's website shows that you aren't registered, we can help you Register to Vote.

Step 3.Learn more about absentee voting

Review our Absentee Voting FAQs to find out more about the process.

Step 1.All voters are eligible to vote absentee

Serving in the military or living abroad? You'll need to Apply for a Military or Overseas Citizen Absentee Ballot.

Did an unexpected emergency disrupt your voting plans? You can Apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot.

Step 2.Give us a call

If you have any questions about this process, we're happy to help! You'll find our information in the Contact Us section of this page.

We're open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Keep in mind that our office closes on major holidays. Another note: we don't take these calls on Election Days.

Step 3.Apply for an absentee ballot using the paper application or visit our office

At this time we can't take applications for absentee ballots over the phone. You can follow the paper form process, or come to our office to apply in person. Use the tabs near the top of this page for detailed instructions.

Step 4.Learn more about absentee voting

Review our Absentee Voting FAQs to find out more about the process.