Michigan Election Hub: Everything You Need to Know

We’ve collected all you need to register and vote this November 3. Scroll to see the details on Michigan, Genesee County and Flint.

Michigan information

Key dates. Michigan voters can register online or by mail through Monday, Oct. 19. Starting Oct. 20, new registrations must happen in person at the clerk’s office — including on Election Day, when same-day registration runs until 8 p.m. (Michigan Secretary of State)

Absentee ballots for military and overseas voters started going out Sept. 19. A request made online or by mail must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30; an in-person request at the clerk’s office can be made until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Michigan has no-excuse absentee voting. (Michigan Secretary of State)

The return deadline is the one voters most often miss: Michigan’s rule is a receipt rule, not a postmark rule. A completed standard absentee ballot must be received by the local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. A standard ballot postmarked Nov. 3 that arrives late will not count, though an exception exists for military and overseas ballots. (Michigan Voter Information Center)

In September 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a preliminary injunction blocking a new U.S. Postal Service mail-ballot rule, leaving Michigan’s no-excuse absentee system in place for the November election. (Michigan Attorney General)

Early voting and ID. Michigan’s nine-day statewide early in-person voting period runs Oct. 24 through Nov. 1. (Michigan Secretary of State) Michigan uses a photo ID or signed affidavit system: a voter with acceptable photo ID shows it, and one without can still vote by signing an affidavit. Acceptable photo IDs include a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, another state’s driver’s license or ID, a U.S. passport, a military or government photo ID, a student photo ID, or a tribal photo ID. A first-time voter who registered by mail and is voting absentee may need to provide an identification document — such as a current photo ID, a paycheck, utility bill, bank statement, government check, or another government document — if they never supplied their Michigan driver’s license or state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. (Michigan Secretary of State)

Verify your ballot. Voters can confirm registration, polling place, sample ballot, and updated deadlines at the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote. The same page lets voters confirm that an absentee ballot was received. (Michigan Secretary of State)

Statewide races. Statewide, voters will fill the governor’s office — Democrat Jocelyn Benson against Republican John James — and an open U.S. Senate seat, with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed facing Republican Mike Rogers for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters. (Michigan Public; Michigan Public)

Genesee County information

After Oct. 19, Genesee County voters outside Flint must register in person with their local city or township clerk. (Before then, you can register online or by mail.) (Genesee County Clerk) Voters should check the current drop box list on the official city and county clerk pages before heading out, because locations may change, and a moved box should not be what keeps a ballot uncounted. (City of Flint Clerk; Genesee County Clerk)

Flint specific information

All of Flint’s nine city council seats are on the ballot, and Mayor Sheldon Neeley faces a rematch against Councilwoman Tonya Burns. Last August in the primary Neeley led Burns with 5,133 votes to 3,915. (MLive)

Flint voters can register in person on the second floor of Flint City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St., weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; the elections line is 810-766-7413 and the main line is (810) 766-7414. The Flint City Clerk’s second-floor office also accepts in-person absentee requests during those Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. hours. (City of Flint Clerk)

Flint’s secure drop boxes — including the one outside Flint City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St. — are available 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day. Check the current city and county clerk drop box list before heading out. (City of Flint Clerk)

Flint’s early voting site is on the third floor of Flint City Hall, in the City Council Chambers at 1101 S. Saginaw St., open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekends during the statewide early voting period. (City of Flint Clerk)

On Election Day, Flint voters cast a ballot at their assigned precinct. Confirm the precinct through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote or by calling the Flint elections line at 810-766-7413 or the main line at (810) 766-7414. (Michigan Secretary of State; City of Flint Clerk)

Before the Oct. 19 registration cutoff, confirm your registration at michigan.gov/vote and request an absentee ballot now rather than waiting. Bookmark michigan.gov/vote and the clerk’s pages, and re-check them in the final weeks, so a shifted deadline or a changed drop box does not quietly decide who gets to be heard.