Accessible Voting in Michigan

You have the right to vote…

• Privately and independently, with any disability or guardianship status.

• At home via absentee ballot or in person at an accessible polling site.

• With assistance filling out and casting your ballot.

• Using an accessible voting machine (Voter Assist Terminal) at your polling location.

• At curbside, if your polling location is inaccessible.

• Accompanied by your support animal

Learn more about the rights of voters with disabilities here and here. The page on the State of Michigan website that specifically addresses accessible voting is here.

Check your registration status here. If you’re not already registered, or if your name and address on file are not correct, register online or by downloading and mailing this form by October 24th. You can also register in person any day your clerk’s office is open--even on Election Day!

Find a sample of the ballot for your location on the state elections website, so you can do your research before voting. You will need to enter your county, jurisdiction and precinct in order to see the applicable ballot; you can look them up using this form on the state site.

Here is a journalist’s description of the three proposals on this year’s ballot. In brief:

• Proposal 1 changes the term limits for state legislators and requires elected officials to disclose certain financial information.

• Proposal 2 requires election reforms including nine days of early voting, more access to absentee voting and related changes.

• Proposal 3 creates a guaranteed right to reproductive freedom including abortion, prenatal and postpartum care, childbirth, contraception, sterilization, and fertility treatment. The state could still limit abortion after a fetus is "viable" (around 23 to 24 weeks), but not if the abortion is needed to preserve the life of the pregnant person.

DDP urges VOTE YES on Proposals 2 and 3. We view these amendments as essential to protecting everyone’s right to vote and our bodily autonomy and access to healthcare.

1) In order to apply for an absentee ballot, you must first be registered. (See instructions above.)

2) Once you are sure you’re registered, you can request an absentee ballot by applying online, calling your township clerk’s office, or downloading, printing, completing and mailing this application. NOTE: If you mail the application, the clerk must receive it by November 4th at 5pm. If you need to get an absentee ballot after October 24, we recommend you request it in person at your local clerk’s office. That way you don’t have to worry about whether the mail will take too long. Also, if you go in person you can actually fill out your ballot there and then, and submit it before you leave.

If you have a print disability, you can apply for an accessible electronic voter ballot (large print application here). You can also sign up to have a link to this application emailed to you before each election.

3) Once you receive the ballot, complete it using blue or black pen. If someone helps you mark your ballot, they must sign the ballot return envelope under your signature.

IIf you are unable to sign the return envelope, you may use your mark or signature stamp. Absentee ballots are counted only when the voter’s signature on the ballot envelope sufficiently agrees with the signature in the voter’s registration record. If this is the first election where you use your mark or signature stamp on your absentee ballot, it’s best to submit a new voter registration using that mark or signature stamp (see "Register to Vote" above).

4) Return the completed ballot to your clerk’s office by November 8th at 8pm (Election Day). The ballot has instructions on how to mail it back – but if it’s October 24 or later, we recommend delivering it in person to the office or an authorized dropbox. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, or an election official is allowed to deliver your completed absentee ballot in person.

Once you’ve returned your ballot, you can check its status online.

You can vote in person at your local clerk’s office or satellite location between September 29th and November 7th. When you get there, request an absentee ballot. Complete it while there, and return to the staffer.

1) Polls are open 7 am-8 pm. Anyone who is in line by 8 pm will be able to vote. Find your polling location here.

2) Plan ahead for what you need to get to the polls by 8 pm on Election Day. Do you need to make changes to your work schedule? Find childcare or pet sitting? Transportation?

3) Bring your photo ID to the polls. If you forget, you can sign an affidavit that you do not have your ID with you.

4) Voting can involve long lines and wait time – which can be tough if the weather is bad. Prepare yourself by wearing comfortable clothing and shoes, and consider bringing food and water. 

5) If you find your polling location is not accessible, you have the right to vote “curbside,” in your car. Call the  clerk or ask someone going inside to notify the staff. The poll team must have a poll worker bring the ballot to your car. You can also ask to vote at another site that is accessible. If you vote in Detroit and your polling location is not accessible, you have the right to vote at the Department of Elections, 2978 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202.

6) If you cannot operate the voting equipment for any reason, you can get help filling out your ballot. You can bring someone you trust to help (as long as they aren’t a representative of your employer or your union). You can also request assistance from poll workers.

7) In Wayne County, the Voter Assist Terminals (VAT) are machines made by Dominion. You can learn how they work in advance by reviewing this video or this text description with photos. If you vote in a different county, you can find which machines your county uses here. If it’s a Hart VAT, you can review this video or this text description with photos; if it’s an ES&S VAT, this video or this text description with photos.

You may be able to get help from Michigan’s ombudsperson for Accessible Elections: 517-335-2730 or MDOS-ADAVoting@Michigan.gov. Another good resource is the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

Also, please let the People with Disabilities Voting Rights Coalition know by filling out this survey. They cannot solve problems in real time, but they will address them after the election. 

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have low vision, have an intellectual or developmental disability, or have a disability that affects your mobility, you may find Easterseals’ list of resources helpful in making your plan to vote.

Most people in Michigan who have been incarcerated in the past, and some who are in jail now, are entitled to vote. You can vote if: 

• You have a past conviction

• You are on parole or on probation

• You are waiting to be sentenced (whether you’re in or out of jail now). 

You can register to vote either at your parents’ home address or at your school address (as long as you’ve lived there at least 30 days by the time you vote), but you must vote where you are registered. Go to MI.gov/vote to check on where you're registered, your polling place, your sample ballot and to find information about your clerk's office. 

If you’re not from Michigan, but you go to school here, you can vote in Michigan. Make sure you register at your Michigan address. If you vote in Michigan, you cannot vote in your home state.

Michigan Voter Information Center

www.Michiganvoting.org

Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

When you vote -- whether by mail or in person – let us know how accessible your experience is. Please fill out this short survey to help us collect information for our voting accessibility organizing.