How to vote on Election Day in Metro Detroit
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Early voters at Wayne County Community College Eastern Campus in Detroit. Photo: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
If you haven't voted early or absentee, today's your day.
Why it matters: This year's midterms have brought a lot of controversy and high emotions — and many of us will be relieved when they're over.
- But before the tidal wave rolls through, we have a civic duty to accomplish.
If you're voting today, here's a checklist to get you through:
Before you go: Confirm your polling place through the Michigan Voter Information Center.
- Review your ballot on the same site.
- Make sure you know who you're voting for — including races lower down the ballot.
- Our voter guide can tell you about top-of-ballot candidates and proposals, while BridgeDetroit has the lowdown on Detroit's pivotal public school board race. Try the Freep for more, too.
Head to the polls: Vote between 7am and 8pm, and make sure to grab your sticker! Anyone in line by 8pm has a right to vote.
- Bring a photo ID if you have one. Voters without ID can still cast a regular ballot after signing an affidavit.
- Report intimidation or interference with voting: 866-OUR-VOTE.
Not registered? Eligible citizens can still register to vote in person on Election Day. Go to your local clerk's office with proof of residency, and you can cast your ballot the same day.
Absentee ballots: If you still have yours, don't mail it. Return it to an official ballot drop box that you can find on the state's website, or hand-deliver it to your local clerk's office. They need to get it by 8pm — track your ballot online.
- Or you can bring your absentee ballot to your polling location and speak with an election worker to learn what to do.
- Michigan voters can generally insert their completed absentee ballot into the tabulator. In Detroit, however, voters must either spoil their absentee ballot and vote in person, or return the ballot to a drop box or clerk's office.
By the numbers: 31% of Michigan voters, more than 2.3 million people, had already cast their ballot as of Monday morning, according to the Michigan Department of State.
- More than 1.5 million voted absentee, and 743,450 voted in person early.
- The biggest day for early voting was Sunday, with 114,420 ballots cast.
What they're saying: "Thousands of poll workers and local election officials are ready to serve you and provide a smooth, secure voting experience for all Michigan voters," Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state, said in a news release.