Michigan
1 Check ID Rules
IDs for Voting in Person
Michigan requests a photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have one, you can still vote a regular ballot by signing a form that confirms your identity (called an affidavit).
Option 1: Show an accepted photo ID
You can show (ok to be expired):
- Michigan driver’s license
- Michigan state ID card
You can show (cannot be expired):
- ID issued by the US government or any state
- US passport or passport card
- Student ID from an accredited high school or higher education institution
- Military identification
- Tribal identification
Option 2: Vote without a photo ID
If you don’t have an accepted photo ID, you can still vote a regular ballot by confirming your identity in writing.
How it works:
- Tell the poll worker you don’t have a photo ID with you.
- Complete and sign an Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture Identification.
- Vote a regular ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have the right ID to vote in Michigan?
You can still vote a regular ballot without a photo ID.
Complete and sign an Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture Identification to confirm your identity.
Can I use a digital or mobile ID to vote in Michigan?
You must show a physical ID at the polls.
You cannot use an image, copy, or digital ID when voting in person.
Do I need a “REAL ID” to vote in Michigan?
You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Michigan.
“REAL ID” is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.
How to get a “REAL ID” in Michigan:
- You must appear in person to apply for your driver’s license or ID card.
- You must bring a variety of documents to prove your identity.
- Visit the Michigan Secretary of State website to check what you need.
IDs for Voting by Mail
Any registered Michigan voter can request an absent voter ballot. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
To request your ballot online, you must give:
- Michigan driver’s license or state ID card number (if you have one)
- Last 4 digits of Social Security number
You can request your ballot online here.
You do not need these numbers if you request on paper or in person.
If you complete a paper request form or request your ballot at your local clerk’s office, your signature will be compared to your voter registration record before a ballot is issued.
You do not need to include ID with your completed ballot.
The signature on your ballot envelope will be compared to the one on file with the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include an ID with my absent voter ballot?
Can I fix my Michigan mail ballot if it is rejected?
You must be notified if your ballot is missing your signature, or if the signature on it does not match your signature in state records.
What to do:
- Your local clerk will contact you to explain why your ballot was rejected and how to fix it so it counts.
- You can track your ballot’s status on Michigan’s Department of State website.
2 Register
You must register before you can vote in Michigan.
Who can vote in Michigan?
You are eligible to vote in Michigan if you meet all of the following requirements:
- You are a citizen of the United States.
- You are a resident of Michigan.
- You are at least 18 years of age on Election Day.
You cannot register to vote in Michigan if:
- You have been convicted of a felony and your civil rights have not been restored.
To register to vote:
- You must provide your driver’s license number or state ID number if you have one.
- If you do not have either of these IDs, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN).
- If you do not have a Social Security number, then leave that space blank on your registration form.
If you don’t provide any of these numbers or the state can’t match the number you provide to official records, you will have to show an accepted form of ID the first time you vote.
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- If you vote in person, present an accepted form of ID at the polls.
- If you vote by mail, provide a copy of an accepted form of ID with your absentee ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register and vote on the same day in Michigan?
Common examples include:
- Michigan driver’s license
- Michigan state ID card
- Utility bill Bank statement
- Paycheck or government check
- Other government document
You will also be asked to show an accepted form of photo ID or sign a form to confirm your identity.
Can I register to vote in Michigan if I have been convicted of a crime?
Each state has its own laws about whether citizens with previous criminal convictions can vote.
To check your eligibility to register to vote in Michigan, use Restore Your Vote.
Can I register to vote in Michigan if I attend college in Michigan ?
College students are allowed to vote using their Michigan school residence address. You can decide if you prefer to register in your home state or in Michigan if you attend school there. You may only be registered and vote in one location.
You can use a student ID to vote if it meets Michigan’s voter ID requirements.
Register to Vote in Michigan
Submit the form below to register in Michigan.
Don’t have a state-issued ID? VoteRiders is here to help!
3 Vote
Voting in Person
Michigan requests photo ID to vote in person. You can vote without an ID if you sign a form confirming your identity (called an affidavit).
Voting by Mail
Any registered voter can request an absent voter ballot in Michigan. You don’t have to give a reason why you can’t vote in person.
Requesting an Absent Voter Ballot
You must provide the following ID numbers if you request your ballot online:
- Michigan driver’s license or state ID card number (if you have one)
- Last 4 digits of Social Security number
You do not need to provide this information if you complete a paper request form or request your ballot at your local clerk’s office. Your signature on your request form will be compared to your voter registration record before a ballot is issued.
Returning an Absent Voter Ballot
You do not need to include ID with your completed ballot. The signature on your ballot envelope will be compared to the one on file with the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include an ID with my absentee voter ballot?
Can I fix my Michigan mail ballot if it is rejected?
You must be notified if your ballot is missing your signature or if the signature on it does not match your signature in state records. Your local clerk will contact you to explain why your ballot has been rejected and how you can fix the problem so that your ballot is counted.
You can track your ballot’s status on Michigan’s Department of State website.
