Detroit’s primary Election Day is Aug. 5. All registered voters can cast their vote early through absentee ballots and early voting centers. But if you’re heading down to the polls, here’s everything you need to know.
When are the polls open on Election Day in Michigan?
Polls open Election Day, Aug. 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line at your polling place by 8 p.m., then you will be able to vote.
How do I vote in person in Michigan?
To vote in person, find your polling place at michigan.gov/vote or call the Detroit city clerk at 313-224-3270. At your polling place, you will sign in and provide an accepted form of photo ID. Acceptable forms of photo IDs include:
- Michigan driver’s license or state ID
- Driver’s license or state ID issued by another state
- Federal, state or local government-issued photo ID
- U.S. passport
- Military photo ID
- Photo ID from an educational institution
- Tribal photo ID
If you don’t have a photo ID, you can sign a form stating you do not have an ID and your vote will be counted. You will receive a ballot, fill it out in a voting booth, and then put your ballot in the tabulator machine.
Where is my polling place?
Find your polling place by visiting michigan.gov/vote or calling the Detroit city clerk at 313-224-3270.
Has my polling place changed this year?
Several state legislative district boundaries were redrawn in July 2024, meaning some Detroit voters have new polling places. Residents in the affected areas received new voter registration cards, but if you are unsure about your polling place, you can check it at michigan.gov/vote.
What district am I in?
You can find your district by using the city’s interactive City Council district map.
What do I need to bring to the polls? Do I need a photo ID?
If you have a photo ID or your voter identification card, bring them with you. You will be asked to show a photo ID, but you are not required to have one. If you do not, you will be asked to sign an affidavit that will allow you to vote.
If it’s your first time voting in Michigan, and you registered through the mail or a voter registration drive, you may need to show documentation when you go to vote at the polls. According to the ACLU of Michigan, paper or electronic documents you can bring include:
- Photo ID (regardless of the address or with no address)
- Driver’s license or personal ID card from any state
- High school or college ID
- Passport
- Military or government-issued photo ID
- Tribal ID
You can also use documents with your name and address, including a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck stub, government check or any other government document.
What if I make a mistake on my ballot when I vote at my polling place?
If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask the election official for a new one. Do not erase or correct any marks. If the tabulator machine rejects your ballot, ask for a new one.
What if my polling place doesn’t have me on its list of registered voters?
If a poll worker can’t find you on their list of voters, you can show the receipt from when you registered to vote if you have it. Give a poll worker your address — they will be able to tell you if you’re at the right polling place. If you’re not, find your polling place at michigan.gov/vote. If you are at the right polling place but they still don’t have you on file, you can still register to vote at the clerk’s office or the Department of Elections.
If you can’t get to the clerk’s office with the required proof of residency, you may be able to vote at your polling place with a provisional ballot, for which you’ll need to sign an affidavit affirming you believe you are already registered to vote. If you have a photo ID with your address, your ballot will be counted on Election Day, Aug. 5, and if you don’t, it will be separated for review. You’ll have until Aug. 11, or six days after the election, to go to the clerk’s office and prove you’re a registered voter.
What do I do if I have a problem voting?
If you are having difficulty voting or someone is trying to intimidate or harass you, tell a poll worker. If they are the one causing the issue or can’t fix the problem, call the Detroit city clerk at 313-224-3270.
If that does not solve the problem, call the election protection hotline. 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) is a national, nonpartisan voter helpline administered by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. You can also access hotlines in other languages:
- Spanish: Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) or text 97779, administered by NALEO Educational Fund
- Arabic and English: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287), administered by Arab American Institute
- Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese and English: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683), administered by APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice
