In order to register to vote:

  • You must be a citizen of the United States
  • You must be a resident of the State of Michigan and at least a 30-day resident of the city in which you are registering by Election Day
  • You must be 18 years of age or older by Election Day

Voter registrations are accepted at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours, any Secretary of State Branch Office, the Oakland County Clerk's Office, designated state agencies such as Family Independence Agencies or military branch offices, as well as by mail, until 15 days before each election. During the 14 days prior to each election, voters will need to register to vote in-person with the City Clerk's Office and provide proof of residency (see below).

You can update your voter registration address at any Secretary of State Branch Office, in person at the City Clerk's Office, or using one of the methods below: 

Residency verification documents within 14 days of an election

In order to register to vote within 14 days of an election and be eligible to vote in that election, voters must show residency verification documentation in the form of one the following categories of documents (paper or electronic copies are acceptable):

  • Michigan driver’s license or State ID card
  • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck or government check
  • Other government document

With the exception of a driver’s license or State ID Card, these are broad categories of documents referring to residential, financial, or state institutions. Although it is not possible to make a complete list of all documents that would qualify, below are examples of documents that fit into these categories:

  • Bank, financial institution, credit card or debit card bill or account statement
  • Any document issued by a Michigan high school, college or university
  • Gas, electric, water, trash disposal, internet, phone, mortgage, lease, rental, or insurance bill or policy
  • Pay stub or earnings statement
  • Any documents from any federal, state, county, or local government unit, including receipts, licenses or assessments, and vehicle title and registration

Accessible Voting

Voters with disabilities can vote privately and independently using the Touch Writer, Voter Assist Terminal. The Touch Writer is a ballot-marking device that voters can use to assist with marking a traditional paper ballot. Voters can use the machine to mark their ballot through the use of large font touch screen, Braille keypad and audio headset, or with the aid of their own personal sip/puff device or foot pedal that can be plugged into a port on the front of the terminal. The Touch Writer touch screen features magnification and contrast features and the audio ballot can be adjusted for speed and volume. The Touch Writer is available for all voters to use in every city polling place. 

A Touch Writer is available for voting an absentee ballot prior to Election Day.  It is available for use at the City Clerk’s Office beginning 40 days before an election. 

Voting Requirements

Every Michigan voter who offers to vote in the polls must comply with the requirement by showing picture identification or signing an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of picture identification. (See MCL 168.523 for voter identification requirement.)

Voters can satisfy the ID requirement by showing a Michigan driver’s license or a Michigan personal identification card. Voters who do not possess either document may show any of the following forms of picture ID as long as it is current:

  • Driver’s license or personal ID card issued by another state
  • Federal or state government-issued photo ID
  • U.S. passport
  • Military identification card with photo
  • Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education
  • Tribal identification card with photo

IMPORTANT - Voters without ID will not be turned away on Election Day. Michigan Election law anticipates that not all voters will have picture ID. Voters who do not have acceptable picture ID or who forgot to bring acceptable picture ID to the polls can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit.