How to Vote in Michigan's 2022 Elections

En español | Michigan’s Aug. 2 primaries will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballots for governor, U.S. House and for seats in the state legislature.

What's new this year?

As a result of redistricting, Michigan officials last year redrew legislative districts for the state House and Senate and U.S. Congress. To find your legislative district and polling location, visit Michigan.gov/vote, enter your voter information and select "View voting district information."

Changes could be coming to how you vote in the 2022 elections, with some state lawmakers pushing for new voter ID requirements and a ban on mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications to registered voters.

Essential info:

• Absentee voting: All registered voters can request a no-excuse absentee ballot and vote from home in August’s primaries and November’s general election.

• Early in-person voting: You can vote early and in person by going to your local election clerk’s office and filling out an absentee ballot. Early voting for the primaries starts June 23.

• Voting in person on Election Day: The state’s primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 2; the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., but you’ll still be allowed to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m.

How do I register to vote?

• Online: Use the state’s voter registration portal to register or check your registration status. The online registration period cuts off 14 days prior to an election, so you have until July 18 to register online for the primaries, after which you must register in person.

• By mail: Print out a voter registration form, complete it and mail it to your local election clerk’s office. You can also pick up an application from the clerk’s office, a secretary of state branch office, a state public assistance agency or from a voter registration drive. Within 14 days of the election — so beginning July 19 for the primaries — you won’t be able to register through the mail and will instead need to register in person.

• In person: Go to your local clerk’s office. Be sure to bring an acceptable form of ID that proves your residency, like a state driver’s license or a copy of a paycheck stub or utility bill. You can register to vote at your local election clerk’s office up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, but you’ll likely want to leave yourself more time to cast your ballot.

You can check if you’re registered to vote through the state’s voter information portal.

Does my party affiliation matter when I vote?

Not in Michigan. Voters participating in the primaries can choose only one party’s ballot. You can register or update your voter information online or by mail until July 19, but you can do so in person at your local election clerk’s office up to and including Election Day.

How can I get a mail-in or absentee ballot? Are there important deadlines?

Any registered voter can request a no-excuse absentee ballot and vote from home in the August primaries and in November’s general election.

You can apply for an absentee ballot online, by mail or in person: 

• Online: Fill out an absentee ballot request form on the Michigan secretary of state’s website. You have until July 29 at 5 p.m. to submit your request online to vote in the primaries.

• By mail: Download, print and complete a ballot application from the state’s voter information portal. The application must be received by your local election clerk’s office no later than July 29 at 5 p.m. to vote in the primaries. You can also call your clerk’s office and ask that they mail you a ballot application.

• In person: Visit your local election clerk’s office to pick up and complete an application or return a completed form you downloaded from the state’s voter information portal. If you’re already registered to vote at your current address, you can request a ballot in person up until Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. to vote in the primaries. Otherwise, you have until July 29 at 5 p.m. to request a ballot be mailed to you.

Return completed ballots by mail or in person. You can return someone else’s ballot if you’re their immediate family member, someone who lives in their household, a mail carrier or an authorized election official. Election officials must receive ballots by Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. to count in the primaries.

• By mail: Sign and seal your completed ballot and mail it to your local election clerk’s office. But if you’re returning your ballot within two weeks of Election Day, officials recommend filling out the application in person at your local election clerk’s office to avoid potential postal delays.

• In person: Drop off your completed ballot at your local clerk’s office or at a secure drop box, once the state releases locations for the 2022 elections.

Use the state’s voter portal to track the status of your absentee ballot. 

In the event of an emergency, such as an unexpected illness or death in the family, you may be able to request an emergency absentee ballot by contacting your local election clerk’s office before 4 p.m. on Election Day.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Yes, starting on June 23, you can vote early and in person by going to your local election clerk’s office and filling out an absentee ballot in person. Hours of operation may vary, so contact your election clerk’s office to find out when to cast your ballot.

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 2. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will still be able to cast a ballot after 8 p.m. as long as you were in line before the polls closed. Use the state's voter information portal to find a polling place near you. 

The general election is Nov. 8. 

Do I need identification to vote?

If you are voting in person, you’ll be asked to show an acceptable form of ID, like a state driver’s license or U.S. passport. If you forget or don’t have an ID, you’ll be allowed to vote but will need to fill out additional paperwork to verify your identity and explain why you don’t have the necessary documents.

What races are on the ballot?

• Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General 
• U.S. House: all 13 seats; Michigan lost a seat in the House, as determined by population growth in the 2020 census.
• State Senate: all 38 seats
• State House: all 110 seats

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on May 3 with more information about redistricting. The guide was first published on July 30, 2020.

Also of Interest:

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/mi