Voting in Michigan, 2026
Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.
Every date, in order
- Sat, Oct 24 · passedEarly voting begins
- Sun, Nov 1 · 5 daysEarly voting endsEarly voting runs from Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1, 2026.1
- Mon, Nov 2 · 6 daysLast day for mail ballot applicationsAbsentee applications must reach the clerk by 5 p.m. on Friday October 30, 2026 by mail or online, or by 4 p.m. on Monday November 2, 2026 in person.1
- Tue, Nov 3 · 7 daysElection Day; Registration deadline; Mail ballots must arriveVoters can register in person at their city or township clerk's office up to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and online or by mail by Monday October 19, 2026. Absentee ballots must be received by the local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.1
- Tue, Nov 17 · 21 daysCounty/Local canvass; County/Local certificationCounty boards of canvassers complete their canvass no later than the 14th day after the election, November 17.2
- Mon, Nov 23 · 27 daysState canvass; State certificationThe statewide canvass is complete no later than the 20th day after the election, November 23.2
- After certificationDeadline to contest the resultNo deadline is set for filing a contest of the general election results.3
Questions people ask about voting in Michigan
Q. When does early voting end in Michigan?
Early voting runs from Saturday October 24 through Sunday November 1, 2026.
Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Michigan?
Voters can register in person at their city or township clerk's office up to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and online or by mail by Monday October 19, 2026.
Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Michigan?
Absentee applications must reach the clerk by 5 p.m. on Friday October 30, 2026 by mail or online, or by 4 p.m. on Monday November 2, 2026 in person.
Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Michigan?
Absentee ballots must be received by the local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Q. Who certifies the election in Michigan, and by when?
The bipartisan board of county canvassers, two members from each major party, canvasses the precinct returns, prepares a statement of the vote and reports it to the Secretary of State. County boards of canvassers must finish the canvass by November 17, 2026, the 14th day after the election, and certify immediately thereafter. The Board of State Canvassers, four members appointed by the Governor from the two major parties, canvasses the county returns and certifies the statewide results. The Board of State Canvassers must complete the canvass and certify the results by November 23, 2026, the 20th day after the election.
Q. What happens after the count in Michigan, and when is there a recount?
Recounts come after certification: a candidate's recount petition is filed no later than 5 p.m. of the second day after the Board of State Canvassers certifies the results. “[T]hat a recount petition has been filed, or that a recount is pending, has no effect on the governor's authority or responsibility to issue a certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors.” Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.46.
Q. How long is there to contest an election in Michigan?
No deadline is set for filing a contest of the general election results.
Sources
- Vote.org, Michigan Election Center, https://www.vote.org/state/michigan/
- NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
- NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
- nass.org, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
- Bolts, Who counts our elections, https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/who-counts-our-elections/
- NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines
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