Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

If you are at least 17.5 years old, a U.S. citizen, a Michigan resident, and are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison, you can register to vote in Michigan.

As a registered Michigan voter, you cannot cast a ballot in an election until you are at least 18 years old.

If you are eligible and of-age, you will be automatically registered to vote anytime you complete a Michigan license or ID transaction with the Secretary of State, unless you opt-out. You can also register to vote online at Michigan.gov/Vote, by mail, in person at your local clerk's office, or through any organizations that register voters.

Returning citizens can vote in Michigan!

If you are a U.S. citizen, a Michigan resident, at least 18 years old, and are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison, you can register and vote in Michigan elections.

You can vote in Michigan if you have a past conviction, are on probation or parole, or are awaiting trail/arraignment in or outside of jail or prison.

You do not need a Michigan license or ID to register to vote by mail or in person at your local clerk's office.

Returning citizens: You can vote

College and university students have the option to register at their home address or campus address. Students can vote in person at their polling place or with an absentee ballot. Regardless of which option you choose, as a college student, it is critical that you register and vote as early as possible.

Registering with a Michigan campus address You can update your Michigan voter registration at any time, including up to and on Election Day.

If you are already registered at your home address in Michigan, you can change the address on your voter registration to vote from your campus address instead.

When you change your address on your voter registration, it will automatically update the address listed on your driver's license or ID. You will receive an address correction sticker or new enhanced license/ID card with your updated address upon changing your recorded address.

You can update your voter registration online at Michigan.gov/Vote up to two weeks before an election. After that date, you can only change the address at which you are registered to vote in person at your local clerk's office with proof of residency.

Registering to vote with an out-of-state ID

You don't need a Michigan license or ID to register to vote in Michigan. You can't register to vote online without a Michigan license or ID, but you can do so by mail or in person at your local clerk's office in Michigan.

If you are already registered to vote in another state, you will need to contact your local clerk in the state where you were previously registered to cancel your registration there as well.

Proof of residency

While it is best to register to vote well in advance of Election Day, eligible Michigan residents have the right to register to vote in person at their local clerk's office up to and on Election Day. If you are registering to vote in person in the 14 days prior to an election, you must provide additional proof of residency.

Visit your local clerk's office to present any of the following documents in paper or electronic format: