Absentee Voting Process
STEP 1: Request or print out an application* for an absent voter ballot: Absentee Voter Application (PDF)
*Voters with a Michigan Driver's License or State ID can submit on online application at Michigan.Gov/Vote. Submitting this online application covers STEPS 1 and 2 of these instructions.
STEP 2: Complete and submit the application by mail, fax, email, or in-person at City Hall. The application MUST be hand-signed by the voter requesting an absent voter ballot.
STEP 3: Receive your absent voter ballot.
STEP 4: Return your absent voter ballot by mail, at an official drop box , or in-person at City Hall. The return envelope MUST be signed by the voter who requested the absent voter ballot. If returning by mail, the return envelope is postage-paid!
Mailing of Absentee Ballot Applications
The Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office will be mailing out absentee ballot applications to voters enrolled in the Absentee Voter Application Mailing List 10 weeks before the election.
Any voter registered in the City of Ann Arbor who is interested in receiving a ballot by mail should return a completed signed application to the City Clerk by:
- mail or in person at 301 E. Huron Street, 2nd Floor, Ann Arbor 48104
- fax at 734-994-8296
- email at [email protected]
Absentee Ballots - Vote From Home!
Absentee ballots are mailed beginning 45 days before each election for voters outside the U.S. and 40 days prior to Election Day for all other voters. Voters must submit a signed application each election to receive a ballot. Ballots are not sent automatically! If you would like an application mailed to you, please call or email our office to request an application.
In-Person Absentee Voting
Registered voters can also apply for and vote an absentee ballot in-person at the City Clerk's Office during regular business hours beginning 40 days before each election. City Clerk staff will be available to the public during these special hours for in-person voter registration and absentee ballot requests. Voters registering to vote within 14 days of an election will be required to provide proof of residency.
Returning Your Absent Voter Ballot
Voters MUST return ballots no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. The City Clerk's Office recommends that voters return ballots in advance of Election Day. Voters can return ballots in person at City Hall or via mail or another courier. Absentee ballot return envelopes are postage-paid! The USPS recommends mailing ballots at least 7 days in advance of the election.
The City Clerk's Office has an indoor ballot drop box in the north vestibule of City Hall as well as a large drop box on Ann Street for drive-up convenience. These ballot boxes are accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
We recommend that voters use the drop boxes or hand-deliver to the City Clerk's Office on the 2nd Floor during the last week before the election to ensure delivery and receipt by Election Day.
Starting in the November 2022 General Election, we are switching to purple return envelopes. There's nothing new for voters - everything is the same except the new color!
Ballot Drop Box Locations
Any Ann Arbor resident voting absentee can return their ballot in one of the secure drop boxes. Following is a list of all drop box locations (or view the map); directional signage at some outdoor locations will provide guidance to the boxes:
- Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., always open — Located inside the building, at the north entrance.
- *Larcom City Hall, on Ann Street — Located outside the building by the customer service drop box, on the north side of Ann Street, just east of Fifth Avenue.
- *Veterans Memorial Park Ice Arena and Pool, 2150 Jackson Ave. — Parking lot.
- *Ann Arbor Fire Station 5, 1946 Beal Ave. — Outside.
- *Cobblestone Farm/Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center, 2781 Packard Road — Outside.
- *Ann Arbor Fire Station 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle — Northwest side of building, Eisenhower entrance, outside.
