Michigan voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

Absentee ballots for the Nov 3, 2026 general election must be available for issuance to Michigan voters starting Thursday, Sept 24, 2026. That is the day local clerks begin sending ballots to voters who have already applied, and the first day you can be issued one.

Last day to register online for the November 3 election; after this you must register in person with proof of residency. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked by October 19 (15 days before Election Day).

Statewide mandatory early voting starts Saturday, Oct 24. Some communities may start earlier (as early as Oct 5). Mandatory early voting ends Sunday, Nov 1. Some communities may also offer early voting Monday, Nov 2 until 4 p.m. Every community must offer at least 9 days of early voting (Oct 24 - Nov 1). Local clerks may add optional days starting as early as Oct 5 and on Monday Nov 2 until 4 p.m.; sites and hours are set locally. Separately, absentee voting in person at the clerk's office is available once ballots are ready (by Sept 24). Official calendar: "Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 Optional early voting may begin. 168.720e"

Online or mailed absentee ballot applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct 30. You can still apply in person at your clerk's office until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov 2 (and on Election Day if registering that day).

Mandatory early voting ends Sunday, Nov 1. Some communities may also offer early voting Monday, Nov 2 until 4 p.m. Every community must offer at least 9 days of early voting (Oct 24 - Nov 1). Local clerks may add optional days starting as early as Oct 5 and on Monday Nov 2 until 4 p.m.; sites and hours are set locally. Separately, absentee voting in person at the clerk's office is available once ballots are ready (by Sept 24). Official calendar: "Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 Optional early voting may begin. 168.720e"

Absentee ballots must be received by your local clerk (or in a drop box) by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count except for military/overseas voters.

From Oct 20 through Election Day you can register in person at your local clerk's office with proof of residency; be in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Election Day registration is available in person at your local city/township clerk's office (not at the polling place) with proof of residency, until 8 p.m.

Nominating petitions are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2027, the fifteenth Tuesday before the August 3, 2027 odd-year primary.

Nominating petitions for offices filled at the November 2, 2027 odd-year general election are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2027.

You can register by mail or online through Monday, July 19, 2027, and in person at your city or township clerk's office right through Election Day, Tuesday, August 3, 2027.

Michigan's August regular election date is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August, which in 2027 is Tuesday, August 3, 2027 (the first Monday is August 2). Cities that fill offices at the November 2, 2027 odd-year general election nominate their candidates at this primary, unless the city's regular election is held on the May date, in which case state law bars it from holding a primary at all.

You can register by mail or online through Monday, October 18, 2027. After that you can still register in person at your city or township clerk's office right through Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, 2027.

Michigan consolidated local elections onto a fixed set of statewide dates set by state law. The November regular election date is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which in 2027 is Tuesday, November 2, 2027 (the first Monday is November 1). Michigan cities that vote in odd-numbered years hold their general election that day; a smaller number of local votes instead use the May regular election date, Tuesday, May 4, 2027.