EARLY VOTING
What is early voting?
Michigan voters have the choice to vote in-person at the polls on Election Day or to vote early, either by casting an absentee ballot from home or in-person at their local city or township clerk’s office.
All registered voters are eligible to vote early.
When are absentee ballots sent to voters?
Michigan election law requires local clerks to start sending absentee ballots at least 40 days before the election. This fall, clerks’ offices must begin mailing absentee ballots starting Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020.
What is the timeline for early voting?
Pursuant to Michigan law, early voting begins exactly 40 days ahead of the election. This fall, early voting will begin Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, and voters may request, complete, and return an absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office or satellite office locations. Early voting is available until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.
How can registered Michigan voters cast their vote early from home?
All registered Michigan voters have the right to vote early by requesting an absentee ballot be provided to them in-person at their local clerk’s office or by mail.
To request to vote early from home or by mail with an absentee ballot, voters must submit an absentee ballot application online at Michigan.gov/Vote or download an absentee ballot application to return to their local clerk’s office by email, mail, or in-person before the deadline on Friday, Oct. 30,2020 at 5 p.m.
City of Plymouth voters may return their completed ballot to the City Clerk's office by mail, at a designated absentee ballot drop box, or in-person at City Hall, 201 S. Main. All completed absentee ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
If choosing to return their absentee ballot by mail, voters must include first-class postage and are advised that they mail their ballot no later than Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, to allow plenty of time for mail delivery.
How can registered Michigan voters cast their vote early in-person?
Voters may cast their vote early in-person at their local clerk’s office or satellite office locations up to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. Michigan’s voter identification requirement asks voters to present up-to-date and accurate photo identification in order to cast their ballot or, if they do not have it, to sign an affidavit. Those planning to vote early in-person should plan to provide an acceptable form of photo ID including:
• Michigan driver’s license or state identification card
• Driver’s license or state ID card issued by another state
• A valid U.S. passport
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• Military ID with photo
• Student ID card
• Tribal identification card with photo.
Please note, state law does not require that the voter’s photo ID show the voter’s address.
For information on early voting locations and hours, votes should contact their local clerk’s office.
Contact information for all clerks is located online at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Can Michigan residents register to vote and vote early at the same time?
Yes. Michigan residents who are eligible to register to vote may register to vote online at
Michigan.gov/Vote through Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, and request to vote early either by requesting an absentee ballot application online or downloading an absentee ballot application to complete and return to the voter’s local clerk’s office by Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Michigan residents also have the option to register to vote in-person up to and on Election Day and may also request to vote early in-person at the same time, provided that they do so by Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, before 4 p.m.
Can voters still request an absentee ballot after Thursday, Sept. 24?
Yes. Voters can request to receive an absentee ballot by mail by submitting an absentee ballot application online at Michigan.gov/Vote or downloading an absentee ballot application to complete and return to their local clerk’s office via email, by mail, or in-person up by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Voters can also request an absentee ballot in-person at their clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
How can voters track their absentee ballot application and absentee ballot to make sure they are received?
Voters can securely track the progress of both their absentee ballot application and their absentee ballot online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index. Then click "Am I registered?" You'll be able to see the status of your ballot when you complete the requested information.
What happens if a voter does not receive their absentee ballot in the mail by Election Day?
Voters are encouraged to securely track the progress of their absentee ballot application and absentee ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote. Those who identify any issues or inconsistencies with the status of their absentee ballot application, absentee ballot, or listed voter information listed should contact their local clerk’s office immediately for assistance.
City of Plymouth voters who have not received their ballot in the days leading up to Election Day may request an absentee ballot in-person at City Hall until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, or may vote in-person at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
Are voters who requested an absentee ballot required to vote absentee?
No. Voters who requested an absentee ballot are not required to vote absentee and can surrender their ballot at their precinct polling location on Election Day to receive a new ballot. If their absentee ballot was lost of destroyed, they may sign a statement stating that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote at their precinct polling location on Election Day.
Can voters who have already cast their ballot early change their vote?
Yes, voters who choose to vote early do have the option to spoil their ballot and request a new one. To do so, voters must submit a written and signed request to the city clerk, and include whether they will pick up their new ballot or wish to have it mailed. Any request to spoil a previously casted absentee ballot for issuance of a new ballot must be received by the voter’s local clerk’s office no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.
Voters have the ability to spoil their absentee ballot in-person and request a new ballot at their clerk’s office anytime up before Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at 4 p.m. Please note, voters cannot spoil an absentee ballot on Election Day.
Is early voting secure?
Yes, the process of voting early by absentee ballot is safe and highly secure. Voters requesting to vote by absentee ballot from home, by mail, or in-person must provide their signature or personal identification information at the time of submitting their application, which once received is verified against the voter’s signature and information on record. If the signatures do not exactly match, the application or ballot may not be tabulated.
Additionally, Michigan’s robust election infrastructure has several checks and balances throughout the process to ensure that all residents who cast a ballot are eligible and registered Michigan voters and that no voter casts more than one ballot.
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY
What precinct am I in?
The City of Plymouth precinct map is on our website.
Where do I vote?
All City of Plymouth precincts vote at the Plymouth Cultural Center, 525 Farmer.
What hours are the polls open on Election Day?
The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for all elections.
What time can I expect lines to be the shortest?
Typically, lines are shortest in the middle of the day.
Are voters required to wear a face mask to cast their vote in person at their precinct polling location?
Voters are encouraged but not required to wear a face covering while at a polling place for the purposes of voting in an election.
What is the Voter ID requirement?
When you go to the polls to cast a ballot, you will be asked to produce photo identification. The requirements are the result of a 1996 law determined to be enforceable by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2007.
The following types of photo ID are acceptable:
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Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
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Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
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Federal or state government-issued photo identification
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U.S. passport
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Military ID with photo
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Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
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Tribal identification card with photo
The ID does not need your address. If you do not have photo ID or do not bring it with you to the polls, you may still vote. Simply sign an affidavit stating that you are not in possession of photo identification. Your ballot is included with all others and is counted on Election Day.
Must I vote the entire ballot?
You are not required to vote the entire ballot. You may pick and choose the races or ballot questions for which you want to vote. Skipping sections of the ballot does not invalidate your ballot.
Can I vote a "split" ticket?
You can "split" your ticket when voting in the November general election. A voter participating in a November general election who wishes to cast a "split" ticket can vote for individual candidates of his or her choice under any party.
Can I use a camera in the polls?
Yes, on a limited basis. Voters will be allowed to take a photograph of their own ballot but only while in the voting booth.
How do I register to vote now through Election Day?
You can register to vote and vote in person up until and on Election Day at the Plymouth City Clerk office in Plymouth City Hall at 201 S. Main by 8 p.m. on November 3, 2020 to vote in this election. You’ll need to bring your proof of eligibility and residency.
Proof of eligibility
To be eligible to register to vote you must be:
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A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
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A United States citizen
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At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
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Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison
Proof of residency
You must show proof of where you live. Documents must have your name and current address. You can show a digital copy of documents. Acceptable documents include:
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Michigan driver’s license or state ID
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Current utility bill
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Bank statement
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Paycheck or government check
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Other government document
How do I view a sample ballot?
You may view a sample ballot at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/PublicBallot