Dear Neighbor,
Your voice matters. Your vote matters.
We have worked hard to make casting your ballot as accessible and easy as possible. As your state senator, I want to inform you of your voting options ahead of this crucial year of elections in August and November. In this newsletter, I share tips on how to update your voter registration, secure an absentee ballot, navigate new voting laws that went into effect in February 2024 and more.
As always, if you or someone you know would like to provide feedback about what’s happening in Lansing or needs assistance, feel free to contact my office. You can email us at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28
Featured in the Newsletter
- Election Information
- Activities in the District
- Upcoming Coffee Hours
ELECTION INFORMATION
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 6, 2024
General Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024
When
The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. If you are in line to vote by 8:00 p.m., you cannot be turned away.
Where
Simply show up at your assigned polling location on Primary or General Election Day. Find your polling location online at the Michigan Voter Information Center at mi.gov/vote
Make Sure Your Registration is Up to Date
Have you recently moved or changed your name since the last election? If so, you’ll need to update your voter registration.
Michigan voters are encouraged to register as early as possible before an election. Updating your registration status is simple and can be done in less than 10 minutes.
Methods and requirements for voter registration depend on the following deadlines:
- If there are 15+ days before an election, voters can register online, by mail, or in person at your local clerk’s office or Secretary of State branch.
- Within 14 days of an election, and on Election Day, voters may only register by visiting their local clerk’s office to register in person with proof of residency documentation.
The last day to register other than in-person with your local clerk for the August primary is Monday, July 22. The last day to register other than in-person with your local clerk for the General Election is Monday, Oct. 21.
Voters can check their voter registration status and look up their local clerk information at Mi.gov/Vote.
Note: If you are updating your registration in person, state law requires you to show a picture ID or sign an affidavit attesting to your identity and that you are not currently in possession of a picture ID.
Vote Early In-Person
You can now vote in statewide elections at least nine days early in-person at your designated early voting site as indicated by your municipality. All registered Michigan voters have the right to vote early in person at an early voting site for statewide or federal elections.
Early voting starts at least on the second Saturday before the election and ends the Sunday before the election — nine consecutive days of early, in-person voting.
Here are key dates to remember:
Primary Election: Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024
Early In-Person Voting Begins: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Early In-Person Voting Ends: Sunday, August 4, 2024
General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024
Early In-Person Voting Begins: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Early In- Person Voting Ends: Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024
To learn more about early in-person voting, visit mi.gov/vote.
Voting Absentee & Permanent Absentee
All registered voters can vote using an absentee ballot for any reason, no questions asked. You can vote by mail without leaving your home or request a ballot and vote at your local clerk’s office. There are no postage costs to you at the time of mailing the absentee application or ballot.
To vote absentee, you must turn in an absentee ballot application to your clerk online, by mail or in person. We strongly recommend you request your absentee ballot online no later than 14 days prior to the election.
If for whatever reason you do not turn in your absentee ballot—that’s OK! You still have the option to vote in person at your polling station.
Once you complete your absentee ballot, your city or township clerk must receive it back as voted and signed by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to be counted*(six-day extension for MOVE ballots if postmarked — part of prop 2). You can submit the ballot by mail or by hand-delivering it to your clerk’s office or their drop box. If you are trying to return your ballot within two weeks of Election Day, we recommend hand-delivering your ballot to avoid possible postal delays.
To find a drop box near you or locate your local clerk’s office, visit mi.gov/vote.
Permanent Absentee
As of February 2024, Michigan voters can now elect to automatically receive absentee voter ballots for all future elections through a single, one-time application.
To join the permanent absentee ballot list, submit the regular application to receive an absentee ballot in the next election. Once received, you will see a correlating box on the absentee ballot inquiring about joining the permanent absentee list. Simply select the box on the application and mail or hand-deliver your absentee ballot as normal. Contact your local clerk for more information.
Voters in the Military and Outside the U.S.
You may use a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) form to apply for an absentee ballot if you are a military voter, a spouse or dependent of a military voter, or are outside the U.S. The law also permits such voters to receive their ballot electronically via email or fax. For more information, visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program at fvap.gov or the Michigan Bureau of Elections at Michigan.gov/elections.
Voter ID Requirement
When you arrive at your polling place to vote, state law requires you to either show a picture ID or sign an affidavit attesting that you are not in possession of a picture ID.
ID types you can use to check in are:
- A current or expired Michigan driver’s license or Michigan state ID card.
- A current driver’s license or personal ID card issued by another state.
- A current federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID card.
- A current U.S. passport.
- A current student ID card issued by an educational institution, so long as the document includes the individual’s photo.
- A current military ID card, so long as the card includes the individual’s photo.
- A current tribal ID card, so long as the card includes the individual’s photo.
Note: If you do not bring a picture ID to the polls or do not own a picture ID, you can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit that will be provided to you.
Voters Who Require Assistance
The Michigan Senate Democrats will always fight to ensure voting is a safe, easy and straightforward process for everyone. If you require voting assistance, ask election workers at your polling station for help. You do not need to provide them with a reason or explanation. They must assist you upon request.
Federal and state laws require Michigan’s cities, townships and villages to provide a reasonable number of accessible registration facilities. Additionally, federal and state laws require polling places to remove or make accommodations for any barriers that prevent voters with disabilities from voting — doors should not be blocked, alternatives to stairs such as ramps or elevators should be available, and lighting and seating should be adequate. Polling places must also provide proper accommodations while voting including seated voting booths, Voter Assist Terminals and more.
If you or someone you know needs special access to the polls, call your clerk’s office ahead of time to make sure your voting site is free of obstructions.
For more information, contact your city or township clerk or visit mi.gov/vote. Hearing impaired residents may contact the Bureau of Elections through email at elections@michigan.gov.
If you or someone you know encounters accessibility issues at the polls or when applying for an absentee ballot, it’s important they are fixed promptly. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report these problems so the voting process can be improved.
One Stop Voting Resource
Update your voter registration, find your polling place, locate your clerk’s office, request an absentee ballot and more with the Secretary of State’s Michigan Voter Information Center: mi.gov/vote.
ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT
Door Knocking in DeWitt
Face-to-face time with constituents is a high priority for me. I had a great time being out and about with my team in DeWitt knocking on doors and engaging with the community. These were great opportunities for us to not only share resources, but also hear first-hand about issues that folks care about and discuss legislation we’ve been working on in Lansing.
Connecting with Corunna
Earlier this week, I spent time connecting with community members at the Corunna District Library. We filled up the time with great conversation regarding upcoming legislation and issues within the district they are concerned about. I’m looking forward to my next Corunna visit!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Virtual Coffee Hour
I love being able to regularly connect with constituents at my Coffee and Conversation events and hear about the issues you care about. I hope you can join me at my next event, where you will also have the chance to get updates on what my Senate colleagues and I have moved forward at the Capitol so far this year.
WHEN: Monday, August 12 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual — Register online