Instructions for Absent Voter Ballot Applicants:
Step 1. After completely filling out the application, sign and date the application in the place
designated. Your signature must appear on the application or you will not receive an
absent voter ballot.
Step 2. Deliver the application by one of the following methods:
(a) Place the application in an envelope addressed to the appropriate clerk and deposit
it in the United States mail or with another public postal service, express mail
service, parcel post service, or common carrier. Proper postage is required. You may
also return the application by email or fax, as long as your signature is visible.
(b) Deliver the application personally to the clerk’s office, to the clerk, or to the clerk’s
authorized assistant.
(c) In either (a) or (b), a member of the immediate family of the voter including a
father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-
law, grandparent, or grandchild or a person residing in the voter’s household may
mail or deliver the application to the clerk for the applicant.
(d) If an applicant cannot return the application in any of the above methods, the
applicant may select any registered elector to return the application. The person
returning the application must sign and return the certificate at the bottom of the
application.
Moving between March and November? If so, you may want to consider applying for March only
and reapplying for November after you move. Here’s how to decide:
1. If you are moving within the same city or township and apply for both March and November,
then as long as you update your registration address by September, your clerk will send you a
ballot to the new address in November. You can still update your address after September, but
you will need to fill out additional paperwork before you get your ballot.
2. If you are moving to a different city or township, when you update your registration address,
your old clerk will cancel your absent voter ballot application for November and you’ll have to
reapply with the new clerk in your new city or township.
Remember, every time you move, you must update your voter registration address. It isn’t updated
automatically (unless you update your Michigan driver license or personal ID card address). Find out
how to update your registration address online at Michigan.gov/Vote. If you have a Michigan driver
license or personal ID card, you can update your address online.