Michigan General Election

• Thu, September 24, 2026: Absentee ballots available
  Clerks begin issuing absentee ballots 40 days before the election. Any registered voter may vote absentee without giving a reason.
• Mon, October 5, 2026: Optional early voting may begin
  Communities may choose to offer early in-person voting starting as early as the 29th day before the election. Check your assigned early voting site for dates.
• Mon, October 19, 2026: Online and mail voter registration deadline
  Last day to register online, or by mail (postmarked), 15 days before the election. After this date you can still register in person at your city or township clerk's office with proof of residency, up to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• Sat, October 24, 2026: Statewide early voting begins
  Every community offers at least nine consecutive days of early in-person voting, from the second Saturday before the election through Sunday, Nov. 1. Starting in 2026, communities may also offer early voting on Monday, Nov. 2.
• Fri, October 30, 2026: Deadline to request an absentee ballot online or by mail
  Online and mailed absentee ballot applications must be received by your local clerk by 5 p.m. Registered voters can still request one in person at their clerk's office until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
• Sun, November 1, 2026: Last day of required early voting period
• Tue, November 3, 2026: Election Day
  Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Absentee ballots must be received by your local clerk by 8 p.m. (a postmark is not enough); military and overseas ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received within six days. Same-day registration is available at your clerk's office until 8 p.m.

Sources: Michigan Department of State: Register to vote; Michigan Department of State: Early in-person voting; Michigan Department of State: Absentee voting; Michigan Department of State: Vote on Election Day. Check with your local election office for early-voting hours and locations.