Voting is one of, if not the most important thing to do as a citizen in our democracy. Although I am only 15 years of age, I look forward to making my voice heard by participating in local, state, and federal elections in the future, and I think that you (my reader) should be informed on how to start your voting journey in Michigan. So, below, you will find a detailed outline on what you need and how to register to vote in the State of Michigan.
How do I register to vote?
If you are registering 15 days or more before an election, you can register online, in-person, or by mail. However, if you are registering 14 or less days before a general election, you must register in-person at your local clerk’s office (which is usually at your town’s city hall). 16 and 17 year-olds can pre-register when they visit the Secretary of State to get their Level 2 Driver’s Permit or Michigan Driver’s License.
What are the voting requirements in the State of Michigan?
To vote in the State of Michigan, you must:
- Be a resident of Michigan
- Be a United States Citizen
- Be at least 17.5 years of age (unless pre-registering) and 18 by the November election day.
- Not serving a sentence in jail or prison.
- Have a driver’s license in your possession
What documents do I need to vote?
To vote in the State of Michigan, you need one of the following, in addition to your voter registration card:
- A Michigan driver’s license or State ID [can be expired]
- A federal, state, or government photo ID
- US Passport
- Military photo ID
- Photo ID from an educational institution
- Tribal photo ID
If you forget your ID, you can sign a form saying that you didn’t have your ID. You will still be able to vote.
Where can I vote?
Voting locations in Michigan vary widely by voting district. You can register to receive mail-in ballots, or you can vote at your district’s polling location. You can view polling locations here.
What elections can I vote for?
When you meet the following criteria, you can vote for any election – mayoral, gubernatorial, presidential, senate, house of representatives (state and federal) and more!
Reflection:
When I saw this as a portfolio entry, I thought “Yay, researching!”. I thoroughly enjoyed completing this portfolio entry, because other than informing others, it informs myself as to how to register to vote when I turn 18. I never knew that pre-registration was an option, so when I get my Level 2 Driver’s Permit, I can pre-register!
I hope that this portfolio entry can help others in their voting experience and that it makes a difference.
Artifact:
For my artifact, I chose to attach a screenshot of the website I used to complete this portfolio entry.
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