Absentee Voting

About Absentee Voting

Due to the passage of Proposal 3 in November 2018, all Michigan voters can now request to vote by absentee ballot for any reason in any election.

How to Obtain an Absentee Ballot Application

Voters on the Permanent Absentee Application List will be automatically mailed an application prior to each election cycle. For voters not on the Permanent Absentee Application List, the absentee voting process begins with obtaining an application:

• Download an absentee ballot application here.
• Complete an online absentee ballot application here. 
• Requests to receive an absentee ballot application can be made by calling Clerk's Office at (989) 837-3310 or emailing clerk@midland-mi.org

Information for Military and Overseas Civilian Voters

Active duty military and overseas civilian voters who are eligible to vote in Michigan, can find out information about special accommodations, as well as how to to register to vote or request an absentee ballot at:

• The Federal Vote Assistance Program website for Michigan

Accessible Electronic Absent Voter Ballot Application

Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the local clerk. To apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot at:

• Accessible Electronic Absent Voter Ballot Application website

Returning an Absentee Ballot Application

Return your completed absentee ballot application to the Clerk's Office no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election and your ballot will be mailed to you. 

• Return by mail to:
  Clerk's Office
  P.O. Box 1647
  Midland, MI 48641-1647
• Return to the Official Ballot Drop Box located outside the Larkin St. entrance to City Hall, No postage is required to utilize this ballot drop box.
• Return your absentee ballot application via email to: clerk@midland-mi.org

Saturday (8 am - 4 pm) before each election you may deliver your absentee ballot application directly to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall 333 W. Ellsworth Street and pick up your ballot. (Please bring photo ID or if you do not have photo ID be prepared to sign an affidavit) 

Monday (8 am - 4 pm) before each election you may deliver your absentee ballot application directly to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall 333 W. Ellsworth Street and complete your ballot in the Clerk's Office. (Please bring photo ID or if you do not have photo ID be prepared to sign an affidavit) 

Once the application has been returned to the Clerk’s office, your request for an absentee ballot will be processed immediately. Your application and signature will be checked against your voter registration record before a ballot is issued. 

Emergency Absent Voter Ballot

If an emergency, such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from reaching the polls on election day, you may request an emergency absent voter ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absent voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on election day. The emergency must have occurred at a time which made it impossible for you to apply for a regular absent voter ballot.

Please contact the Midland City Clerk’s Office at 989-837-3310 for more information about emergency absent voter ballots.

Filling Out & Signing Your Absentee Ballot

Once you have received your absentee ballot, vote the ballot and be sure to sign the envelope before it is returned to the Clerk’s Office. 

Important Information

• Absentee ballots will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. 
• If you received assistance voting, the information and the signature of the person assisting you must also be completed on the return envelope.

Returning Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots MUST be returned to the City Clerk's Office on or before Election Day at 8 pm to be counted. 

• Return your absentee ballot by mail by affixing proper postage to the pre-addressed return envelope.
• Return your absentee ballot in person to the Official Ballot Drop Box located outside the Larkin St. entrance to City Hall. No postage is required to utilize this ballot drop box. 
• Do not return an absentee ballot to your polling location on Election Day.