Canton Township and Plymouth Township clerks mailed absentee ballots Thursday, Sept. 24, for Michigan's Nov. 3 general election, giving voters a 40-day window to cast their votes before Election Day.

Any registered Michigan voter can request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Voters who haven't requested one yet can apply online through the Michigan Secretary of State's website or in person at their local clerk's office. The online deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Voters should plan to mail completed ballots at least 15 days before the election to allow for delivery, Bridge Michigan reports. All ballots must reach the clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count.

Canton Clerk Michael Siegrist's office said in an Aug. 11 statement that procedural and equipment updates are being prepared for November after 823 absentee ballots were omitted from unofficial primary election-night results due to a scanner issue, according to the Canton Township elections page.

In the City of Plymouth's November 2024 general election, 3,045 voters cast absentee ballots, accounting for 46 percent of all votes, according to the city's December 2024 newsletter. Nearly 78 percent of the city's 8,498 registered voters participated.

Where to vote early in person

Early in-person voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Michigan law requires at least nine days of early voting, a change voters approved in 2022.

  • Canton Township: Summit on the Park, 46000 Summit Parkway. Weekday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Plymouth Township: Plymouth Township Hall, 9955 N. Haggerty Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City of Plymouth residents should check michigan.gov/Vote or call the City Clerk at 734-453-1234 for their early voting location.

Drop boxes and deadlines

Plymouth Township has two secure drop boxes: one at Township Hall on Haggerty Road and one at the Department of Public Works Recycling Center, 46555 Port St. Michigan law requires video monitoring of drop boxes for 75 days before an election and on Election Day, per state law.

Canton Township voters can contact Siegrist's office at 734-394-5120 or visit 1150 S. Canton Center Road. Plymouth Township's elections office can be reached at 734-354-3271, option 1, or [email protected].

Key dates

  • Monday, Oct. 19: Last day to register online or by mail, according to Fox 2 Detroit.
  • Friday, Oct. 30: 5 p.m. deadline to request an absentee ballot online.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1: Last day of early voting.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters can track their ballot status at michigan.gov/Vote.