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- Apply Online for an Absentee Ballot
- Absent Voter Ballot Application FAQ
- Options for Voters Who Need Assistance
- Election Updates from the Clerk's Office
Upcoming Elections:
Michigan State Primary Election: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
* The initial mailing of absentee ballots is tentatively scheduled for the last week of June 2024.
Important Election Deadlines:
* July 23, 2024 - Same-day voter registration with your local clerk, proof of residency required.
* July 26, 2024 - 5:00pm Deadline to spoil an absentee ballot to the Clerk.
* July 25 - August 4, 2024 - Early Voting.
* August 2, 2024 - 5:00pm deadline for the clerk to send absentee ballots by first class mail.
* August 5, 2024 - 4:00pm deadline for voters to spoil their absentee ballot that was lost or destroyed in-person at the
Clerk's Office.
* August 6, 2024 - Primary Election - 7:00am - 8:00pm.
* August 9, 2024 - 5:00pm deadline for a voter to cure a signature on an AV ballot return envelope that was otherwise a
valid ballot to be tabulated.
* August 12, 2024 - Deadline to receive and count a ballot submitted by an Overseas Voter postmarked on or before
Election Day.
Early Voting
Birmingham is working with the Oakland County Elections Division, Bloomfield Township and Southfield Township to offer early in-person voting for the August 6 State Primary from 8:30am - 4:30pm, (except Thursday, August 1, 12:00pm - 8:00pm) Saturday, July 27 through Sunday, August 4, 2024, at two locations. Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/earlyvoting.
Michigan General Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Early Voting
Birmingham is working with the Oakland County Elections Division, Bloomfield Township and Southfield Township to offer early in-person voting for the November 5, General Election from 8:30am - 4:30pm, (except Thursday, October 31, 12:00pm - 8:00pm) Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3, 2024, at two locations. Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/earlyvoting.
Drive-up Ballot Drop Box
City Hall offers a drive-up absentee ballot drop box, located near the driveway entrance off of Henrietta. Birmingham registered voters may simply pull up, deposit an absentee ballot or absent voter ballot application and be on their way. Don’t forget to sign and seal the ballot envelope.
Traditional Absentee Ballot
A friend or family member can assist the voter with the paperwork involved with a traditional absentee ballot application and ballot.
Accessible Absentee Ballot
The Michigan Bureau of Elections has launched an accessible absent voter ballot application that can be used to apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot for the August Election. Blind voters and others with severe disabilities that prevent them from voting absent voter ballots privately and independently can mark the documents on an electronic device, using their own assistive technology, without visiting a polling place or clerk’s office. The voter may download an accessible absentee ballot application to request an accessible absentee ballot. The accessible absentee ballot application and ballot are digital pdfs that can be electronically signed, printed, and returned to the Clerk. These documents work with software that will read to the voter who needs the accommodations.
Voter Assist Terminal
The voter may make an appointment at City Hall to use the Voter Assist Terminal – a computer that can mark and print a ballot for a voter who needs assistance. This is the same device that is provided to accommodate voters in every live precinct on Election Day.
Curbside Voting
The voter may make an appointment for curbside voting. Two members of the Clerk’s Office will assist the voter, witness the transaction, and complete the necessary documents as directed by the voter.
Contact the Clerk’s office at elections@bhamgov.org or 248-530-1880 for further directions and assistance.
Election Updates from the Clerk's Office
- February 27, 2024: Notice of Election
- February 6, 2024: Notice of Public Accuracy Test
- January 23, 2024: Notice of Registration
- October 25, 2022: Election Reminders from the Clerk's Office
- October 6, 2022: Election News from the Clerk's Office
- July 26, 2022: Be Proactive and Return Your Absentee Ballot
- July 19, 2022: Absentee Ballot Reminders
- July 7, 2022: Absentee Ballot Reminders
- July 5, 2022: Voter Registration Cards
- June 28, 2022: August Primary Election Absentee Ballots Arriving Soon and Reminders for Completing Your Absentee Ballot
- June 2, 2022: Become and Election Inspector
- May 31, 2022: Absentee Ballot Applications Arriving Soon
- Frequently Asked Questions re. Absentee Ballots
Understanding Absent Voter Ballot Applications
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ballots will not be opened and counted before Election Day for security purposes as according to election law. Ballots will be checked in, filed, and secured in the Clerk's office until they are ready to be processed on Election Day.
The Clerk's Office is happy to announce the new drive up absentee ballot drop box located at City Hall near the driveway entrance off of Henrietta. You may simply drive up, deposit your ballot and be on your way. Do not forget to sign and seal the envelope. If you prefer to mail your ballot, the postage is on us! All absentee ballots will have postage included on their return envelopes. The Clerk's Office strongly encourages you to mail your ballot as soon as possible to ensure that it is received by received by Election Day.
An absentee ballot application is not a ballot. By submitting it, voters are requesting to obtain an absentee ballot by mail and vote using that method. Adding your name to the Permanent Absent Voter List means you will receive an absent ballot application in the mail for every election.
You have the right to vote by mail in every election. Voting by mail is easy, convenient, and secure. During the outbreak of COVID-19, it also enables you to stay home and stay safe while still making your voice heard in our elections. Absent voting has many benefits including avoiding long lines, the ability to maintain social distancing, and time to study the ballot.
No, it does not. The "Permanant Absent Voter (AV) List" is simply an affirmation that a voter wishes to receive an application for an absentee ballot for every upcoming election. The completed absentee ballot application must be returned to the Clerk's Office in order to receive a ballot by mail. If a voter requests and receives an absentee ballot, they can surrender it and vote in person if they wish. Voters always have the choice to vote absentee or in person.
Notify your city clerk and visit www.Michigan.gov/Vote to learn how to receive an absentee ballot in your new community.
Contact the Birmingham City Clerk's Office at 248-530-1880 to request a new absent voter ballot application. Let your previous City Clerk know that you have moved.
Follow these links for a general voting FAQ and absentee voting information from the State.
For more information on voting in Michigan, please visit the Michigan Secretary of State's website: www.michigan.gov/sos.
For more information on voting in Michigan, please visit the Michigan Secretary of State's website: www.michigan.gov/sos.