GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Absentee ballots starting going out across the state Thursday ahead of the presidential election in November.
In order to get an absentee ballot, you must be a registered voter and submit an application through your local clerk’s office. That can be submitted either online or in person. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 21.To The Point: Clerks on what to know before voting
If you have submitted an application for an absentee ballot, you can track where it is on the state’s website. When it arrives, there will be a ballot, secrecy sleeve and ballot marking instructions inside of the envelope. Be sure to follow the instructions. If you make a mistake, you can request a new ballot from your clerk.
There are many options on how you can turn in your absentee ballot, including:
- Mailing it in; the last recommended day is Oct. 22.
- Filling it out and completing it at your clerk’s office.
- Putting it in the tabulator during early in-person voting, which must start statewide by Oct. 26 at the latest.
- Putting it in the tabulator at your polling place on Election Day.
Even after you submit your absentee ballot, you can contact your clerk to spoil it if you change your mind before Election Day.
If you decide to vote absentee, your ballot must be received by the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Election Day in order to be counted, with an exception for overseas and military ballots.