Absentee Voter Information

Absent voter ballots are available to registered voters for all elections. They provide a convenient method for casting a ballot instead of attending the polls on election day.

Absent Voter Ballot Information


Who is Eligible for an Absent Voter Ballot

Due to the passage of the statewide ballot proposal 18-3, all eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absent voter ballot without providing a reason.

Check your voter registration at Michigan Voter Information Center Michigan.gov/Vote


Requesting an Absent Voter Ballot

Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and can be submitted to your city or township clerk. (For assistance in obtaining the address of your city or township clerk, see  Michigan.gov/Vote) You must request an absent voter ballot by submitting the applicationlarge print application, a letter, a postcard, or a pre-printed application form obtained from your local clerk's office. Requests may be returned by hand, via postal mail, fax, or email, as long as a signature is visible. 

Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can pick up an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election. If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at your clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. 

Once your request is received by the local clerk, your signature on the request will be checked against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. You must be a registered voter to receive an absent voter ballot, but you can register and apply for an absent voter ballot at the same time.  Requests for absent voter ballots are processed immediately. Absent voter ballots may be issued to you at your home address or any address outside of your city or township of residence.

After receiving your absent voter ballot, you have until 8 p.m. on election day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk's office. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or election official is authorized to deliver your signed absent voter ballot to your clerk's office.

If an emergency, such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on election day, you may request an emergency absent voter ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absent voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on election day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absent voter ballot. 


Submitting an Application
By mail or in person:
21131 Garden Lane, 2nd Floor
Ferndale, Michigan 48220

Where is my Ballot?
Track your Application and Ballot at the Michigan Voter Information Center

Mailed Ballots
We may not give an absent voter's ballot to anyone other than the voter personally. Absentee ballots are mailed the day we receive your completed and signed application. You may request your ballot be mailed to any address outside of Royal Oak Township if you will be out of town. 

Permanent Absent Voter's List
To be included on the Permanent Absent Voter's List contact the Clerk's office at 248-547-9800. This will enable the Clerk's office to mail you an application for an absent voter's ballot before each election.

 
 
 

21131 Gardenlane - 2nd Floor, Grant School - Ferndale, MI 48220