5 things to know on Election Day in Michigan

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Election Day is upon us as millions of registered Michigan voters who haven’t already cast a ballot through either early voting or by absentee ballot will head to the polls to vote for a variety of races and ballot proposals, everything from the White House to local millages.

Polls across Michigan will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, with the exception of the four western counties of the Upper Peninsula; Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties are on Central Time.

Details on your registration status, polling location and a sample ballot are available at the Michigan Voter Information Center.

As you head to the polls, here are five key things to keep in mind:

You can register to vote right up until 8 p.m.

In 2018, voters in Michigan approved Proposal 3, which added eight voting policies to the Michigan Constitution, among them same-day voter registration.

Since then, eligible citizens can register or update their voter registration in person at their city or township clerk’s office through 8 p.m. on Election Day. However, they must bring proof of residency in order to do so.

While that right is guaranteed in law, election officials say the earlier in the day eligible voters can register, the easier it will be to make sure the process goes smoothly.

While you may request an absentee ballot when you register on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerk’s office. Otherwise, if time permits, you will be directed to vote at your local precinct.

Know what you can and cannot do at the polls

Polling locations can be hectic, especially on Election Day in a presidential year. Some simple rules of thumb will help reduce any issues or misunderstandings.

At the top of the list of things not to do is wearing clothing or accessories, including stickers, hats or pins, into or within 100 feet of a polling place. This also applies to any campaign literature. Regardless of your intent, you will be asked to remove those items before being provided a ballot.

However, you can bring a voter information guide or pamphlet when voting, as long as you take it with you when you are done.

You should also not take a photo, either of yourself or anything or anybody else, within the voting area. That being said, you are allowed to take a selfie once you have exited the voting area. 

And if assistance is needed to vote in a language other than English, you are allowed to bring an interpreter to assist you.

Know your rights to cast a ballot

The American Civil Liberties Union offers the following advice on voter rights:

• If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
• If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
• If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.

In Michigan, an election inspector will announce that it is 8 p.m. and mark the last person in line that is eligible to vote. As long as you are in line at that point, you cannot be denied an opportunity to cast a ballot, no matter how long it is after the polls close.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of State offers comprehensive details online about Election Day voting.

It is illegal for anyone to attempt to influence or prevent you from voting, including those who are not poll workers or election administrators asking for personal documentation, directly questioning you or attempting to block your path to casting a ballot. 

If you witness or experience any action deemed to be voter intimidation, report it to an election worker at their polling place, or to their local clerk.

Any voters who experience problems, or who have questions on Election Day, can also call the Election Protection Hotline, which is run by the nonpartisan Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

• English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
• Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
• Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
• For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

Walk into the voting booth informed

For details on each of the major races, the Michigan Advance Voting Guide, provides links to our in-depth reporting on the contests for the White House, U.S. Senate, the 3rd, 7th, 8th and 10th Congressional districts, and the two races for Michigan Supreme Court. 

For most other races and ballot issues, the Voter’s Guide at Vote411.org, organized by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, has links to candidate interviews and forums, if available, as well as basic details on ballot proposals.

Don’t forget down-ballot races

While attention has been tightly focused on the major races for the White House, Congress and state House, there are many races and decisions to be made on issues that won’t be covered by straight ticket voting.

The biggest of these are the two races for Michigan Supreme Court. While the candidates for the state’s highest court are nominated by the respective political parties at their August conventions, they appear on the nonpartisan portion of the ballot, as do candidates for the Michigan Court of Appeals.

There are also a variety of local contests and ballot issues that would also not be covered by a straight ticket vote. These may include races for mayor, council positions, school board, and district, circuit and probate court seats.