Michigan

If you are a registered voter and do not bring or do not have an acceptable photo ID, you can still vote a regular ballot by signing an Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture ID. If you are in possession of an acceptable picture ID but refuse to sign the Affidavit or you claim to have picture ID but refuse to show it, you cannot vote and are not eligible for a provisional ballot.

Your current address does not need to appear on your picture ID, nor need the address on your ID match that on the Application to Vote. Your picture ID is only used to verify your identity. Election Inspectors’ Procedure Manual

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a “REAL ID” to vote in Michigan.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law. You may also hear it called a “gold star” ID.

• Michigan REAL ID info
• Michigan REAL ID check list
• Michigan REAL ID frequently asked questions

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You may register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, during any early voting period and on Election Day, at the office of your local election clerk’s office. You do not vote at your local polling place on Election Day unless you are already registered to vote.

If you register within 14 days of Election Day, you must show a document, including a digital copy, that provides your name and current address. Acceptable documents include:

• Michigan driver’s license or state ID
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck or government check
• Other government document

No. The state has not provided any guidance as to whether poll workers and other election officials can rely on an image of your ID on your mobile or other electronic device instead of your original ID.

If you are a registered voter and do not bring or do not have an acceptable photo ID, you can still vote a regular ballot by signing an affidavit.

No, but the signature on your absent ballot application will be compared to your voter registration record before a ballot is issued.

If you are voting for the first time in a federal election in Michigan, you may need to submit ID. Learn more about federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

If you need a copy and don’t have the means to print one: Get free help printing a copy of your ID.

No, but the signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If you fail to sign the certificate on the return envelope or if your signature does not match your Absent Voter application or registration record, your local clerk’s office will contact you by mail, telephone, or e-mail (no later than 48 hours after determining your signatures do not sufficiently match or that your signature is missing, or by 8 pm on the day before election day, whichever occurs first) to “cure” (fix) the problem.

You have three options to fix the signature issue:

• You may visit the clerk’s office to sign your ballot envelope or otherwise provide a valid signature.
• You can request and submit a signature cure form (sent from your local clerk’s office), swearing that the signature on your Absent Vote ballot is correct. The signature on the cure form must match the signature the clerk’s office has on file. If your signature has changed or is permanently altered (for example, because of health reasons), you may also submit a cure signature form swearing to your specific situation.
• If it’s before 5 pm on the Friday before the election and you are unable to visit the clerk’s office to sign your Absent Voter ballot envelope or otherwise cure your signature, you may request in writing a replacement ballot, which will cause your original to “spoil.” A new Absent Voter ballot will then be mailed to you. There is no official form required to request a replacement ballot. You must make the necessary corrections by 8 pm on election day for your vote to count. If your ballot is rejected, you may wish to contact your local clerk’s office to determine what the issue was and to learn what you can do to fix it.