It's Election Day in Michigan. Here's everything you need to know.

Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press
·5 min read
2

It's Election Day! In Michigan and across the U.S., voters will head to the polls to weigh in on key races for governor, Congress and control of state legislatures.

If you're an eligible Michigan resident, it's not too late to register to vote and cast a ballot today. If you still have an absentee ballot, don't put it in the mail. Return it as soon as possible in person to your local clerk's office or a secure ballot drop box. You must do so by 8 p.m. If you miss the deadline, your vote will not count.

And if you're planning to vote in person, don't forget to check your polling location before you head out!

The Free Press has compiled some information to help ensure this Election Day is a smooth one for you. Happy voting!

More:Here are 22 questions for the 2022 midterm election, answered

More:You may not know full Michigan results on election night. Here's why.

Can I still register to vote in Michigan?

Yes. In Michigan, you're eligible to vote if:

  • You're a U.S. citizen

  • You're at least 18 years old today

  • You've lived in your city or township for at least 30 days

  • You are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

In Michigan, you can register to vote on Election Day. Just head on over to your local clerk's office. You can look up the address using the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "Where are my clerk's offices?"

When you register, you'll have to provide a document with your name and current address to prove where you live. You can bring a hard copy of your proof of residency or show a digital copy of acceptable documents, including:

  • Michigan driver's license or state ID

  • Current utility bill

  • Bank statement

  • Paycheck or government check

  • Other government document

If you haven't returned your absentee ballot, don't put it in the mail.

It's too late to put your absentee ballot in the mail. Instead, you'll want to deliver that absentee ballot in person to your local clerk's office or via a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. If you miss that deadline, your vote won't count.

You can find your local clerk's office and drop box locations using the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "Where are my clerk's offices?" and "Where are my ballot drop boxes?"

Don't forget to sign the back of your absentee ballot return envelope!

What time do polling places open in Michigan?

Polls in Michigan are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're in line by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote!

Where is my polling place in Michigan?

It's a good idea to confirm where you're going to vote. You can find the address for your polling location using the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us and clicking "Where is my polling place?"

You'll be asked to show a photo ID, but you can still vote if you don't have one.

When you get to your polling location, you'll be asked to show a photo ID. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

  • A Michigan driver's license or Michigan personal ID card

  • A current driver's license or personal ID card issued by another state

  • A current federal or state government-issued photo ID

  • A current U.S. passport; a current student ID with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education

  • A current military ID card with photo

  • A current tribal ID with photo

But if you don't have a photo ID or you forgot to bring yours to the polls, you can still vote if you sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury confirming your identity.

What is on my ballot in Michigan?

It's a good idea to research the candidates and issues you'll be voting on before casting your ballot. The Free Press has compiled a nifty voter guide with information on candidates and proposals on the ballot with additional information for voters in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. You can even mark your preferences and email yourself your selections.

More:Voter guide for Michigan election 2022: Macomb, Oakland, Wayne counties

More:Your guide to Michigan's ballot proposals for 2022 election

Yes, you can use a Sharpie to fill out your ballot. No, you can't take a ballot selfie.

Michigan's Secretary of State's Office notes that using a Sharpie permanent marker to fill out a ballot "will not invalidate or cancel a ballot or vote."

While you can snag a pic of your ballot in the voting booth, you can't take a selfie with your ballot! You can share a picture of your ballot once you are at least 100 feet from the entrance of a polling place. Michigan election officials have been encouraged to set up "selfie stations" at polling locations outside the voting area, so if there's one in your polling place, feel free to grab a pic sporting your "I voted" sticker.

More:Election 2022 in Michigan: Your top ballot questions, answered

Who to contact if you experience any issues at the polls

If you experience any issues while voting, contact the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Clara Hendrickson fact-checks Michigan issues and politics as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/freepRFA. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Election Day 2022 in Michigan: Your guide to voting