Skip The Line: Early Voting Is Now Available To All Michigan Voters
Election day is coming up on Tuesday November 8th 2022, and I don't have to give you a long lecture about how important it is to make sure you exercise your civic duty and vote. Even small local elections can make a difference in the big scale of how a community operates.
There are a million things that can just "pop up" on a Tuesday to cause you to get too busy to get out and get it done. So, why wait?
When can I vote in Michigan elections?
Up to a month before the election is scheduled to happen, you are apply for and fill out an absentee ballot. You can do that via the state of Michigan's official website.
If you're not registered to vote yet, don't panic. In the state of Michigan you're still able to register to vote up to and on election day.
If it's more than 14 days before the election, you can request and apply for a ballot online, then fill it out and mail it in. You have to make sure it's dated two weeks before the election to ensure it gets counted.
However, since we are now within 14 days of the election, you are able to vote now in person as well as by taking your absentee ballot directly to the clerk's office and submitting it. If you're located in Grand Rapids, you can go to the Clerk's Office (300 Monroe Ave NW), during their office hours, with one of these forms of ID.
Do I need a reason to vote absentee in Michigan?
Nope! Traditionally people have always voted absentee if they are working, traveling or studying away from home, however after the pandemic most states agreed it was smart to allow people to vote this way no matter what.
How do I request an absentee ballot in Michigan?
You can visit the clerks office in your county, or you can apply online if you're already registered to vote in Michigan.