Absentee Voting
Guide
How to vote absentee
To vote absentee you must first be registered to vote and then request an absentee ballot. Absentee voter request forms can either be either mailed or filled out online. Many states have differing deadlines for when their absentee request forms and absentee ballots are due. To find your state's absentee ballot request form and learn more about its deadlines click the button below. You can also learn more about how to vote absentee in any state at https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting.
Once you have received your absentee ballot you must complete it, sign the return envelope, and return it to your assigned clerk’s office either by mail or in person to a drop box provided by your assigned clerk or to their clerk’s office. An immediate family member or housemate can also drop it off for you. If you can’t mail or drop off your ballot or have an eligible person mail or drop off your ballot for you, you can ask your city or township clerk to pick up your completed ballot. If you need your clerk to pick up your ballot, you must call your clerk by 5 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day.
*Please note that if you are returning your absentee ballot by mail you should send it with enough time for it to be received by your state's deadline. We recommend placing your absentee ballot in the mail two weeks before Election Day. If you are returning your ballot by placing it in a drop box, be sure to use only the drop box provided by your assigned clerk. This means that students who are not voting in East Lansing cannot place their ballots in a drop box on campus.*
What if I forget to send my absentee ballot
If you forget to mail back your absentee ballot before the deadline, no worries! As long as you've lived in Michigan and have been a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days you can register to vote in Michigan. Learn more about how you can register and vote in Michigan by clicking the button below.
Still have more question? Check out our FAQ page or email us your questions at: msuvote@msu.edu
Go green, go white, GO VOTE!