Deadline to Register by Mail and Online, Recommended Mail-in Date for Absentee Ballots in Michigan Approaches

07.18.2022 / 10:00 AM

LANSING, MI — Common Cause Michigan reminds Michiganders that the last day to register to vote online/by mail before the August 2 primary is today, Monday, July 18.

Voters can register to vote online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/RegisterVoter/Index if they have a valid Michigan driver’s license or state ID to register online.

If voters choose to mail in their registration, they can download the registration forms here:

The form must be mailed to the voter’s city or township clerk, which can be found at Michigan.gov/Vote. Registration forms must be postmarked by July 18, 2022.

If Michiganders miss this deadline, they can still register through Same Day registration on Election Day or by hand delivering their registration form.

Questions or problems about registering to vote can be directed to the Michigan Bureau of Elections at: elections@michigan.gov. They can also have questions answered by calling 866-OUR-VOTE. 

After the application is processed by the county or town clerk, voters will receive an ID card that will list their polling place location and voting districts. This card is for their reference and is not required to vote. Voters can also visit Michigan.gov/vote to check their registration status.

Additionally, tomorrow, Tuesday, July 19 is the recommended date for voters to mail in their absentee ballot so it can arrive on time. In order for the absentee ballot to be verified, the voter’s signature must be on the return envelope and matches the signature on file. If a Michigander received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped them must also be on the return envelope. Voters can also deposit ballots in a secure drop box or return them to their clerk’s office. Elections officials must receive absentee ballots before 8pm on Election Day, August 2.

Statement of Quentin Turner, Common Cause Michigan Program Director 

“The right to vote is the foundation of our government, and elections — both generals and primaries — are a key element of that foundation.

Aug. 2, 2022 marks the primary elections, and Michiganders have a plethora of choices about how to cast their ballots. Whether it be by mail, early in-person or in-person on election day, voters have the opportunity to choose who is there to represent them locally, in Lansing and in Washington, D.C.

However, there are deadlines that voters must know about to make sure that their ballots will count and that they’ll have an easy, accessible voting process. Absentee mail ballots should be mailed in by Tuesday, July 19 to ensure that the ballot arrives to their clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

After that day, these ballots should likely be returned in person to your city or township clerk’s office or at a secure dropbox provided by your clerk. Then, track your mailed ballot via the Michigan Voter Information Center to ensure that your mailed ballot arrives in time to be counted.

If Michiganders aren’t registered to vote yet, there is still time. They can also register to vote online or by mail by EOD today, Monday, July 18 for the Primary Election. Afterwards, they can register through Same Day registration on Election Day or by hand delivering a registration form. 

Voters who have questions or need assistance can call or text the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE, or speak with a volunteer at your voting location. The nonpartisan Election Protection program has been helping voters for more than two decades — and voters should take advantage of that expertise.”

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