Who is Eligible to Vote in Michigan?
- You must be a U.S. Citizen
- You must be 18 years of age by Election Day
- You must be a resident of the city or township where you are applying to vote
- You cannot be confined to jail after being sentenced or convicted
How do I register to Vote in Michigan?
Individuals using any other method must register to vote at least 15 days before Election Day and are not required to provide proof of residency. Other methods of registration include an application obtained at one of the following locations:Individuals who register to vote within the 14-day period immediately preceding an election must appear in person at their city or township clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.
- IN-PERSON: Turn in at the Customer Service Desk, or place in the 24/7 drop box in front of City Hall located at 201 W Ash St, Mason, MI 48854
- BY MAIL: Mason City Clerk, PO Box 370, Mason, MI 48854
- BY EMAIL: Scan and email to: masonclerk@mason.mi.us.
How do I find out if I’m already registered to vote in Michigan?
- Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/ and enter your information
- If you are already registered, your voter record has links to:
- View your sample ballot, if there is an upcoming election
- Your polling place address for election day
- Track the status of your absentee ballot
- Contact your local clerk
Who is eligible to vote absentee?
Due to the passage of the statewide ballot proposal 18-3 in November 2018, all registered voters are eligible to vote by mail without providing a reason.
What are the benefits of voting absentee?
You’ll enjoy voting absentee because it is convenient and easy!
- Avoid long lines at the polls.
- Take all the time you need to research candidates and proposals.
- You can track your ballot online at the Michigan Voter Information Center -- to see when it was sent to you and received back at the Clerk’s office: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/
Voting absentee is a safe process.
- Ballots are stored securely.
- All ballots that arrive by 8:00pm when the polls close (and have a signature on the outer envelope as required by law) are counted.
- Absentee ballots are not opened/tabulated until the polls open on election day.
- Ballots are processed by election inspectors, according to Michigan Election Law, using best practices to ensure a secret ballot -- just like at the polls.
Absent Voter Ballot Application
If you do not wish to join our Permanent Absent Voter List, but still need to request an absent voter ballot for an upcoming election, we can help with that, too!
Beginning 75 days before an election, you can visit the MVIC to request your AV ballot online. If you prefer a paper application, you can email masonclerk@mason.mi.us or contact our customer service desk at 517.676.9155 and we will mail you the application or prepare it for you to pick up at City Hall.
Returning your Absent Voter Ballot Application
If it is more convenient for you, you may return all applications from your household in the same envelope or email.
You can return your ballot application:
- IN-PERSON: Turn in at the Customer Service Desk or place in the 24/7 drop box in front of City Hall.
- BY MAIL: Mason City Clerk, PO box 370, Mason, MI 48854
- BY EMAIL: Scan and email to: masonclerk@mason.mi.us
Special services are provided to assist military and overseas civilian voters participate in elections.
- To register to vote, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), and return it to your local clerk.
- To obtain an absent voter ballot, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), and return it to your local clerk.
- You only have to complete the FPCA one time each year to receive absent voter ballots for all elections that calendar year.
- You can request to have your ballot delivered via email, fax, or postal mail. It will be sent no later than 45 days in advance of the election (as long as your application is received by then).
- You will still have to physically mail back your ballot to your Clerk; there is not currently an option to submit your ballot electronically. Make sure you leave plenty of time for your ballot to travel through the mail system.
For more information, visit the Secretary of State’s website on Military and Overseas Civilian voting: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-238835--,00.html
Request a new Voter ID Card
Voter ID Cards are an important part of the Voter Registration process. After you register to vote, a Voter ID Card is sent to you via USPS. The USPS will not forward these mail pieces, so this step in the registration process is a way to confirm your residency. It also highlights useful voter information, such as your precinct, school district, and polling location.
All of the information on your Voter ID card is easily accessible at the Michigan Voter Information Center, and you do not need to bring your Voter ID card with you to the polls. If you have lost your card and would like a new one for your records, you can request one by emailing masonclerk@mason.mi.us
Submit a temporary mailing address
If you are on the Permanent Absentee Voter List, for example, you can expect your ballot application to go in the mail 60-75 days in advance of an election. The applications can be forwarded by the USPS; however, we want to ensure they get to you in a timely manner. By providing us your temporary address, you will help us get you your voting materials more efficiently.
If you know you are going to be away from your primary residence for any length of time, consider letting the Clerk’s office know by clicking here: Submit a Temporary Mailing Address
Change your permanent address
In order to change your address, you will need to follow the same steps as detailed in the “How to Register to Vote in Michigan” section. When you complete and turn in a registration form, the first thing we do is search the Voter System to see if you are already registered; and if you are, we are able to update your existing voter record with your new information. Your voter file is linked directly to the Secretary of State's database, so changing your voter registration address with the Clerk will also trigger the Secretary of State to mail you a sticker for your ID/Driver's License.
