EAST LANSING, Mich. — East Lansing voters are advised that absentee ballots for the November 8, 2022 State General Election are now available in the East Lansing City Clerk’s Office, 410 Abbot Road, for in-person voting and will be mailed this week to voters who have already submitted an absentee ballot application.
If an East Lansing voter has already submitted an application, no further action is needed, as their ballot will be mailed out this week. This would include voters who utilized a dual application for both the August Primary and November General Elections.
“All eligible and registered voters in Michigan may now request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. With about a third of our active voters already requesting an absentee ballot for this election, we know East Lansing voters are in tune with the option to conveniently vote from home,” said East Lansing City Clerk Jennifer Shuster. “Not only is the process secure and accurate, it is also accessible with our prepaid postage return envelopes, extended office hours and secure drop box availability.”
Voters who would like to apply for an absentee ballot for the upcoming election may do so online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index or may request an application from the City Clerk’s Office, either in person or by phone: (517) 319-6914.
As this is a General Election, it is important for voters to pay close attention to the ballot-marking instructions that are printed on the secrecy envelope included with the ballots. For this specific election, voters are allowed to vote a “straight ticket” for the party of their choice in the partisan section, vote a “split ticket” by voting both a straight ticket and for individuals candidates of their choice or a “mixed ticket” by voting for individual candidates in each office. If a voter makes a mistake, they can contact the City Clerk’s Office to spoil their ballot and obtain a new one. Voters should not attempt to erase or correct any marks made in error.
Voted ballots can be returned by mail as prepaid postage has already been affixed to the purple return envelope. Voters are encouraged to allow two weeks for delivery. East Lansing voters can also feel free to drop them off in person at the City Clerk’s Office during business hours or at one of four secure ballot drop boxes, located at East Lansing City Hall, the East Lansing Public Library, the East Lansing Department of Public Works and the MSU-CATA Transportation Center. East Lansing voters can track their ballots at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index or, if they mailed their ballot, through the TrackMIBallot information printed on their absentee ballot envelope. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Absentee ballots may be requested in person at the City Clerk’s Office up until 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. If a voter requests an absentee ballot on Monday, Nov. 7 (the day before Election Day), they must vote the ballot in person at the City Clerk’s Office.
East Lansing polling locations will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day. New voters may register to vote at the City Clerk’s Office on Election Day and, once registered, may vote either at the polls or by absentee ballot at the City Clerk’s Office. Additional East Lansing election information is available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/elections.
Voters with any questions or concerns regarding ballots or elections in general, should be sure to contact the City Clerk’s Office directly. Providing education to voters and clearing up any election misinformation remains a high priority for the City Clerk’s Office. The City Clerk's Office staff are happy to address any questions or concerns voters may have. Voters can contact the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6914.