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Same day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting are the most notable changes to Michigan’s elections laws passed overwhelmingly by a statewide ballot initiative in 2018.  The upcoming Presidential Primary on March 10, 2020 will give many voters their first chance to benefit from these changes.

Any eligible voter can vote with an absentee ballot and vote before election day. Visit your local clerk’s office or download the form to request the absentee ballot
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/AbsentVoterBallot_105377_7.pdf

Your absentee ballot needs to be requested no later than 5 p.m. Friday, March 6 if you want it mailed to you. You can also get one up until 4 p.m. on Monday, March 9 in person from your local clerk’s office 

Make sure the signature on your return envelope matches your signature on file with the Secretary of State’s office. If someone helped you fill out your ballot, they must also sign the return envelope. The only people you can legally deliver your ballot to the clerk’s office are you, a family member, someone living in your household, a mail carrier or an election official. You can check that your ballot was received by contacting your clerk’s office.

Michigan voters can register to vote by mail on or before the 15^th day before an election. It also allows voters to register on Election Day with proof of residency and a valid ID.  If can find out if you’re registered to vote and see your ballot click here https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us

When voting in a presidential primary, you can only get a ballot for one political party. You do not need to be a registered Republican or Democrat to vote, but you do need to indicate in writing which party ballot you want for voting. Interesting side note, seven Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates who are no longer running will be on the ballot due to a state deadline late last year designating who would be on the ballot.

According to the U.S. Constitution, voting is a right and a privilege.