Early Voting in Michigan: A New Era of Democratic Participation
Michigan’s constitutional amendment has transformed how residents vote, allowing early in-person and absentee voting weeks before Election Day.
Election Day is no longer the actual start of democratic participation in Michigan. With the introduction of early voting — now a constitutional right since voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in November 2022 — participation begins weeks before Election Day.
This historic amendment grants Michigan residents the right to vote early and in person at designated polling centers before both statewide and local elections.
For the upcoming November 2025 elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, voters can cast their ballots early starting September 30 at local clerks’ offices or at early voting centers, which began operating in some areas on October 6.
How Michigan’s Early Voting Period Works
The early voting period lasts for at least nine consecutive days and ends on the Sunday before the election — November 2 — with the option to extend the period up to 28 days.
The early voting process mirrors Election Day: voters receive a ballot and insert it directly into a tabulator inside the early voting center. These centers must be open for a minimum of eight hours per day to ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote.
Any registered voter in Michigan can vote early in person, and same-day registration is allowed throughout the early voting period, including Election Day itself.
For those who prefer voting from home, absentee ballots can be requested online or by mail. It is recommended to request a ballot before October 14 and return it by mail before October 21 to ensure timely delivery.
Finding Early Voting Sites and Ensuring Secure Elections in Michigan
To make the process more accessible, voters can find their early voting locations up to 60 days before the election on the official website Michigan.gov/Vote.
On Election Day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and unregistered voters can register and vote on the same day.
To ensure the integrity of the process, thousands of election workers — Republicans, Democrats, independents, and volunteers — implement strict security protocols, making Michigan’s election system one of the most secure in the United States.
