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Voting laws in Michigan

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Each state has its own series of election laws. The separation of powers clause in the constitution has largely placed the responsibility for conducting on state governments. Each state has its own election law enforcement agencies, oftentimes part of the executive branch, sometimes a part of the state judiciary. The following are basic guidelines for voting in Arkansas. Note: Before taking any action, or if you have any questions, contact your state election agency.

Polling Place Hours

Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST)

Voter Registration Information

Registration Deadlines

Registration deadline is 30 days before election.

Identification Required for Registration

No identification is require, but, under federal law, first-time voters who register by mail and have not provided identification at registration are required to do so at the polling place.

How to Check Registration

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Voting Information

Identification Required to Vote

Due to a recent court ruling, every Michigan voter must present picture identification at the polls, or sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification.

How to Find Your Polling Place

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center

Absentee Voting

A person may vote absentee for any one of the following reasons:

  • Because of physical disability such person is unable to vote without assistance at the polls
  • Religious beliefs
  • Role as election official in another precinct
  • In jail awaiting arraignment or trial
  • Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
  • 60 years of age or older
  • Is or expects to be outside the township/city where he or she resides (including absence due to enrollment at a university, college or other higher education institute).
  • The voter has moved to Michigan between 6 months and 30 days before the election, is not qualified to vote at his or her previous residence anymore, and can provide proof of that. This person may apply to vote absentee in person until 2:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the election.
  • The voter has moved away from Michigan, was registered to vote in Michigan, cannot vote in his or her new residence yet, and can provide proof of that. This person may apply to vote absentee in person until 2:00 p.m. on the Saturday immediately prior to the election.

Voters may apply to vote absentee between 75 days and 2:00 p.m. the Saturday before an election. Voters may apply to vote absentee by mail or at the clerk of the township, city, or village where the voter is registered. A person qualified to vote as an absent voter may apply in person at the clerk's office before 4:00 p.m. on the day before the election (except a Sunday or holiday).

If an emergency, such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absent voter ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absent voter ballots has passed but before 4:00 p.m. on Election Day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absent voter ballot. Your local clerk will have more information about emergency absent voter ballots.

Early Voting

Michigan does not have "early voting," but a person qualified to vote as an absent voter may apply in person at the clerk's office before 4:00 p.m. on the day before the election (except a Sunday or holiday).

Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses

Michigan law specifies that when a voter moves within the same city or township, the voter can simply vote at the precinct where he or she was registered, and update the registration rolls with the new address on Election Day.

Michigan law further specifies that if the voter moves from one Michigan county to another, or from one city or township to another in the same county, the failure to update the registration rolls with the new address prior to election day does not affect the right to vote so long as the move occurred within 60 days of election day.

Information for People with Felony Convictions

Any person convicted of a crime in a court of Michigan or another state or in a federal court, who has been lawfully released from prison, has the right to vote. A person who was a qualified and registered voter prior to conviction does not have to re-register upon release from prison.

Third Party Registration Groups

Michigan has NO Laws on Third Party Registration Groups on:

  • Payment of Registration Workers
  • Whether they are mandated to turn forms into the Michigan Secretary of State Office
  • Having a permit with the Michigan Secretary of State's Office.

However, Michigan works with these groups to discourage pay per application schemes and making sure all workers turn in their applications to the Secretary of State's Office[1].

Any registration worker who does submit produce false registrations can face felony charges of forging public documents which are punishable up to three years in prison[2].

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.campaignforfairelections.org/page/-/election%20protection/voter%20registration/long/MI%20reg%20guide%20FINAL[1].pdf
  2. ↑ http://www.freep.com/article/20081015/NEWS06/810150422

See also

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