Voting in Michigan: Rights, Rules, and Getting Ready for November 2020
It’s no secret that it matters how people vote, but who votes is just as important—and it turns out that who shows up at the polls heavily depends on a state’s voting laws. In 2018, researchers studied more than 30 factors affecting voting in presidential elections from 1996 through 2016 and ranked each state according to the time and effort it took to vote. Michigan not only ranked 45th overall, but we were also one of only 13 states to ban early voting and to require a reason for absentee voting. In a time when entire elections can be decided by just a few thousand votes, the study’s lead author, Scot Shraufnagel, estimates that making voting easier could increase turnout by up to a whopping 10%. How many Michiganders are missing out on having their voices heard on Election Day?
It’s not all bad news, though. Despite Michigan’s low ranking, it seems we have some committed voters: Nonpartisan nonprofit FairVote found that over 65% of Michigan voters turned out in 2012, 43% in 2014, 66% in 2016, and 58% in 2018, where we ranked 10th overall in total voter participation. Casting ballots, however, is just one part of the equation—Americans can’t make it to the polls if they have a hard time even registering to vote.
In 2018, a Pew Research survey found that 30% of eligible voters remained unregistered. Americans also lagged behind their international counterparts when it came to doing their civic duty: U.S. voting rates were approximately 10% less than the average in other democracies, many of which have automatic registration or mandatory voting laws. In contrast, the U.S. puts the responsibility for registering on the shoulders of the voter, and the process is often difficult, which likely impacts registration rates. Consequently, states like Michigan have taken steps to make both registration and actual ballot-casting seamless and accessible to all.
HOW DO I VOTE IN MICHIGAN?
Michiganders demanded an easier voting process in 2018—when 66.9% of us voted “yes” on Proposition 3—and we’ll reap the benefits in 2020. The proposition, launched by the American Civil Liberties Union and other stakeholders under the “Promote the Vote” initiative, dramatically improves voting in Michigan by allowing us to:
Register via mail up to 15 days prior to the election (previously it was 30 days)
Register in person at your clerk’s office up until the day prior to the election and still be eligible to vote at the polls.
Register and vote on the spot on Election Day at your local clerk’s office.
Register by mail to vote by absentee ballot--even if it’s your first time registering!
Vote via absentee ballot for any reason at all.
Request to be on your community’s “permanent absentee ballot list” to receive an absentee ballot application automatically in advance of every election. If you decide to vote in person instead, just don’t return the application!
Automatically register to vote when renewing your driver’s license/state ID, unless you are ineligible or opt-out.
Register to vote online.
With these significant changes taking effect, we’ll be able to see firsthand whether easier voting gets more citizens to head to the polls (or to the mailbox!).
PROPOSITION 3: PROTECTING VOTER RIGHTS
In addition to making it easier to cast a ballot, Proposition 3 also changed the Michigan Constitution to protect certain voting rights:
Straight-party ticket voting is permitted for all partisan races, which means you can fill in one party’s box at the top of your ballot and automatically cast your vote for every partisan candidate who matches your selected political party.
Absentee ballots will be mailed to overseas and military voters at least 45 days prior to the election.
The Michigan Constitution now guarantees voters the right to a secret ballot.
The Michigan Constitution now provides for the auditing of election results.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE ELECTION DAY?
If you are in jail awaiting a trial or a sentence, you are eligible to vote via absentee ballot. If you have a felony record, are on probation or paying restitution, you have the right to vote. Once released from prison, a person must re-register to vote using their new address.
If you are becoming a naturalized citizen, you can register to vote as soon as you take your citizenship oath.
If you change your name or your address, you must update your registration.
Voting is one of the most important actions we can take to achieve a truly representative democracy. If you need to register, find your polling place, meet your candidates, or learn more about voting in 2020, check out the links below or contact your city clerk’s office for more information. Your vote is your voice—prepare early to make sure you have a say this November. See you at the polls!
QUICK LINKS FOR MICHIGAN VOTERS
Register to vote or update your registration online here
Confirm your registration and find your polling place here
See a sample ballot for your precinct and read the candidate’s biographies here
Find the address and phone number of your City Clerk here