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Elections - Absentee Ballots

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1. I will be absent on election day, can I still vote?

Yes, you can vote by absentee ballot by calling your local clerks office 517-483-4133, or come to the City Clerk's Office on 9th floor of City Hall, 124 West Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933, to obtain an application form to receive an absentee ballot. 

We also have an elections office that is open 29 days before the election at 2500 South Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48910, or you can call us at 517-483-4485.

2. What is an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot is for people who are registered to vote but are unable to attend the polls on election day.

3. I registered to vote by mail. Can I vote absentee?

You must register in person to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot the first time you vote, unless you are 60 years of age or have a disability. You can re-register and pick up an absentee ballot at the clerk's office or vote in person at your polling place on Election Day. After you have voted once, you may receive an absentee ballot for future elections. If you are 60 years of age or have a disability you can vote by absentee ballot.

4. Who is eligible to received an absentee ballot?

To receive an absentee ballot, one of the following must be true:
- You must be 60 years of age or older.
- Expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls are open on election day.
- Physically unable to attend the polls without assistance of another.
- You cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion.
- You are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
- You have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside.

5. How can I apply for an absentee ballot?

You can call the Lansing City Clerks office at 517-483-4133 to request an application for an absentee ballot. You can also write to your local clerk requesting an absentee ballot or stop into our office at office on the 9th floor of City Hall, 124 West Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48933 to apply.

There is also an elections office open 29 days before the election located at 2500 South Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48910, where you can apply for an absentee ballot, or you can call us at 517-483-4485.

6. How soon do I need to request an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot up to 75 days before the election. The latest you can receive your ballot will be the Saturday before the election. As this date is close to the election, it may be best to come to our office and vote your absentee ballot. Our South Washington office will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Saturday before each election.

7. Is there some way that I can automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election?

The City of Lansing maintains a Permanent Absentee Application List. Anyone can be on this list. After being placed on this list you will receive an absentee ballot application for every election. You will need to fill out and sign the form receive your absentee ballot.

8. How can I be put on the Permanent Absentee Application List?

You can call, email or write our office to be placed on the permanent absentee application list. The address is:

City Clerks Office

9th Floor of City Hall

124 W Michigan Avenue

Lansing, MI 48933-1695

Our phone number is: 517-483-4133.

Our email is: [email protected]

9. I'm in the military service or overseas. How can I vote?

You can contact your commanding officer and receive a Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot (FPCA). 

If you are a citizen overseas you can contact your Consulate Office. 

You can also go to www.fvap.gov/michigan to get more information on military and overseas voting, along with requesting your ballot.

10. Can I come to your office to return my absentee ballot?

Yes, you can come into the City Clerk's Office on the 9th floor of City Hall to return your absentee ballot prior to election day. You can also come to our office at 2500 South Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48910, which will be open 29 days prior to the election.

11. Can an absentee ballot be sent to me if I'm out of City, State, or Country?

Yes, an absentee ballot can be sent out of the City, State, or Country. Both your mailing address and your Lansing address needs to be stated on your absentee ballot application.

12. Can an absentee ballot be sent to a Post Office Box?

Yes, we can mail your absentee ballot to your Post Office Box. 

13. Can anyone drop off my absentee ballot?

No, only an immediate family member, a person residing in the same household, or an assistant of the clerk may deliver your absentee ballot to the Clerk's Office.

14. What are the hours that I can cast my absentee ballot in your office?

Our City Hall office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Our South Washington Elections Unit will be open 29 days prior to the election, and the hours will be Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8am-5pm, and Wednesday 8am-7pm. Along with the 8am-2pm the Saturday before the election.

There is also a 24-hour secure drop-box at the front of City Hall and our South Washington office where you can place your ballot if you cannot make those times.

 

15. I made a mistake on my absentee ballot. Can I receive another absentee ballot?

If you spoil your ballot in any way, you can receive another absentee ballot by calling our office at 517-483-4133 or by coming in person. We will void your old absentee ballot, and then issue you a new one.

16. When is the last day an absentee ballot can be mailed from your office?

The latest an absentee ballots can be mailed is the Saturday before any election. As this date is close to the election date, you may wish to come to our office at 2500 South Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI, 48910, to vote. We will be open that Saturday before the election until 2 p.m.

17. When is the last day and time an absentee ballot can be dropped off?

Absentee ballots can be dropped off in the City Clerk's Office on election day. Keep in mind that this will have to reach the absentee counting board by 8 p.m., or it will not be counted.

18. When is the last day that I can get an absentee ballot in your office?

The last day you can get an absentee ballot in our City Hall or South Washington office is the day before an election by 4 p.m. You must come in person, as your ballot cannot be given to anyone else.