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This article explains who is eligible to vote, how to register, and your voting rights if you've been involved with the criminal justice system. To learn more about voting, read How to Vote in Michigan. For even more information about voting rights, visit MichiganVoting.org.
Who Can Vote in Michigan?
You can register to vote in Michigan if you:
- Have lived in Michigan for at least 30 days
- Have lived in your city or township for at least 30 days
- Are a United States citizen
- Will be at least 18 years old by Election Day
- Are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison (but you can register and vote after you are released—read the section below on Voting Rights for People Who Have Criminal Records)
How to Register
If there are more than 14 days before an election, you can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your clerk’s office. You must have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID to use the online process.
If there is an election within 14 days, you can only register at your clerk’s office in person.
You can register to vote up to and including Election Day. On Election Day, registration is only available at your local clerk's office. You cannot register to vote at regular polling locations. If your polling place happens to be at the same location as your clerk's office, you may be able to register there on Election Day.
Voting Rights for People Who Have Criminal Records
If you're currently in prison or jail serving a sentence, you can't vote or register during that time. However, when you're released, your right to vote is automatically restored. You don't need to go through any special process to get your voting rights back. The only time you can't vote is when you're physically in prison or jail serving a sentence. People who have been involved in the criminal justice system can still vote if they:
- Are on probation or parole
- Are in jail waiting for trial or arraignment
- Have a criminal conviction but were not sentenced to jail or prison time
- Have a criminal conviction but have finished serving their jail or prison time
If you have been to jail or prison, use the Michigan Voter Information Center to confirm that you are registered and confirm your address is correct.
Voter Registration for People Involved in the Criminal Justice System
If you're in jail waiting for trial or arraignment, you can register to vote. When registering from jail, use the address you had before going to jail. People serving time in jail or prison for a conviction can't register or vote while they're serving their jail or prison term. This is temporary. You can register to vote immediately after you finish serving the jail or prison term. You do not need to do anything extra. Just register to vote using your current address.
Updating Your Voter Registration
You need to update your voter registration when you move to a new address or legally change your name. To update your registration, visit the Michigan Voter Registration page and complete the registration form with your new information. You can also contact your clerk to update your registration.
Re-registering does not create a duplicate voter registration. Instead, the system updates your existing registration. This process keeps your voting information current and accurate.