Absentee Voting Process
PLEASE NOTE: if you are a participant in the Automatic Ballot List, you can skip to STEP 3!
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!
Automatic Ballot List
Do you:
Prefer to vote absentee and receive your ballot in the mail?
Have a single permanent address?
NOT use the USPS mail forwarding or mail holding services?
Sometimes forget to submit the application to have your ballot mailed to you?
If so, consider signing up for the Automatic Ballot List! Placement on this list means that you will automatically receive your ballot in the mail roughly 30-40 days ahead of an election day to the address our office has on file.
A signed request is required if you would like to be added to the automatic ballot list. Please contact our office for information on how to sign up.
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 and is not already enrolled in the Automatic Ballot List 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. If you would like an application for a ballot mailed to you or if you would like to sign up for the Automatic Ballot List, 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 Absentee 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.
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 24/7 official ballot drop box locations; directional signage at some outdoor locations will provide guidance to the boxes
Larcom City Hall, on Huron Street — Located outside the building, at the Huron St 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.
Arrowwood Community Center, 2566 Arrowwood Trail — Streetside of parking lot.
Ann Arbor Fire Station 5, 1946 Beal Ave. — Outside, near bus stop.
Huron Hills Golf Course, 3465 E Huron River Dr. — Clubhouse parking lot.
Cobblestone Farm/Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Customer Service Center, 2781 Packard Road — Parking lot.
Ann Arbor Fire Station 6, 1881 Briarwood Circle —
Northwest side of building, Eisenhower entrance, outside.
Veterans Memorial Park Ice Arena and Pool, 2150 Jackson Ave. — Parking lot.
The following dropbox locations are also available, but will only be accessible during business hours:
Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St., open Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm — Located inside the building, at the north entrance.
(February and November Elections ONLY) University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 S. State St., - TBD — Located inside.
(February and November Elections ONLY) Duderstadt Center, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd, - TBD — Located inside
