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Are you ready to vote, Michiganders?
Know your rights this Election Day!
if you haven’t yet cast your ballot, we’re here to remind you how, and to urge you to fill out your full ballot, including down ballot races and the nonpartisan section!
HOW TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5:
In Person:
- Polls are open Tuesday, November 5, from 7am-8pm. Confirm your polling place at mi.gov/vote.
- If you are in line at 8pm, you can still vote so stay in line!
- Remember, don’t wear or bring campaign- or candidate-related clothing, accessories, or signage – you will be asked to remove it.
- If you need help or have any questions, call the election protection hotline at (866) OUR-VOTE.
Absentee
- You have until 8pm to return your absentee ballot! You can return it directly to your clerk OR at a secure ballot drop box.
Still need to register to vote? No problem – you can register until 8pm on November 5. Simply visit your local clerk’s office and bring proof of residency.
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is strongest when we all make our voices heard. So, vote, vote, vote! And if you already took advantage of Michigan’s early voting period, share this information with friends and family who haven’t cast their ballots yet.
Help your neighbor - use the VAT!
A Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) allows people with vision, hearing, and other impairments vote in private without the help of others.
Every polling place is required to have a VAT on-site that works and is in plain view.
A lot of times, the VAT is not prepared and needs to be found and set up.
When someone asks to use the VAT, it can cause commotion with poll workers, and draw unwanted attention from a person just trying to vote.
Hear from our friend and West Michigan Volunteer, Terry DeYoung on how you can help your neighbors have easier access to the VAT at your polling place.
Election Day may be November 5th, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cast your ballot now – or prepare to do so early.
There are a few easy things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready to vote - and it only takes a minute.
- Check your voter registration. To register, you will need to register to vote in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. You have until 8pm on Election Day to vote, but why wait? Register to vote as soon as possible.
- Vote via absentee ballot – they're available to voters now. You can also visit your clerk’s office and vote in person via absentee ballot from now to Election Day. If you’d like to request an absentee ballot, we recommend doing so no later than October 15 to ensure you have time to fill it out and return it to the clerk’s office by the deadline (8pm on Election Day in most cases).
- Make an early voting plan. If you prefer to vote in person, you can take advantage of Michigan’s 9 days of early voting! Beginning October 26, you can visit your early voting location and cast your ballot – it's a secure and convenient option to vote ahead of Election Day. You can learn more about early voting, including where you can cast your vote early by visiting michiganvoting.org.
Whether you choose to vote absentee, early in person, or on Election Day, don’t forget to vote your full ballot, including the nonpartisan section.
Why voting your entire ballot is important.
Get Involved
We are in the midst of a crucial election season – and you may be looking for impactful ways to support our democracy.
Look no further – join the ACLU of Michigan as we work to ensure that all eligible voters have what they need to cast their ballots on or before November 5.
Volunteer with the ACLU
Did you know that phone banking is one of the most effective ways to connect with voters? The ACLU’s organizing team is holding weekly phone banking sessions virtually on Zoom. Sign up to volunteer here! You will be trained and fully supported by the ACLU of Michigan’s organizing team during the entire session.
Similarly, we are also reaching out to voters via text. If you’d like to join a text banking session, you can sign up here.
Keep a look out for in-person phone banking opportunities coming up as we get closer to Election Day!
Election Protection
Sign up to be a non-partisan election challenger
This is a direct way to ensure all eligible voters can cast their ballots at their polling location. We need poll challengers from the start of early voting (October 26) through Election Day (November 5). Click here to sign up.
Sign up to be a canvass monitor
As a canvass monitor, you'll observe the post-election canvass and certification process to ensure that everything runs smoothly. All canvass monitors are required to complete a training prior to observation. The canvass process will begin after the election is complete and you will be contacted to sign up for an observation shift once counties have scheduled their canvass proceedings. Click here to sign up.
Events
- Virtual Phone and Text Bank with the ACLU of Michigan | Weekly. RSVP here.
- Bagels & Ballots In-Person Phone Bank | Saturday, November 2, Detroit and Grand Rapids (details shared after registration)
Helpful Links
- Read up on the importance of the Michigan Supreme Court election (and voting your full ballot including the nonpartisan section)
- Review the records of select Michigan House of Representatives candidates
- Get all the information you need to cast your ballot on or before Election Day
We’ll be sending out more information in the coming days, so be sure to come back for more updates.
Happy voting!