Michigan voters can now cast an absentee ballot for the November general election, a move that continues to expand access while raising the stakes for how residents prepare ahead of Election Day. Voters can submit their ballots to their city or township clerk’s office either in person or through the mail. The deadline for ballots sent by mail is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, with the exception of military and overseas voters, who must have their ballots postmarked by that same date.
The rules are straightforward, but deadlines matter. Registered voters who want to cast their ballot absentee have until Monday, November 3 at 4 p.m. to apply. Those who are not yet registered still have time, with same-day registration available through 8 p.m. on Election Day. Applications for absentee ballots can be completed online through the Michigan Secretary of State’s website, making the process more accessible than in years past. Once completed, ballots can be returned by mail, dropped off in person at a clerk’s office, or submitted at an official ballot drop box.
Voting rights advocates are emphasizing the importance of timing. Michigan Voting, a coalition of nonpartisan pro-voting organizations and elected officials, recommends that mail-in ballots be submitted by October 22. The caution reflects concerns over postal delays that have complicated election cycles in recent years. Delivering ballots earlier not only ensures arrival before the deadline but also gives voters peace of mind that their participation is secure. Voters can also check the status of their absentee ballot online through the state’s voter information portal.
Detroit voters will decide one of the city’s most consequential mayoral races in over a decade. City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. of Triumph Church advanced from the August primary and will now compete head-to-head for the mayor’s office. Sheffield entered the race with the backing of long-standing political networks and years of experience in city government, while Kinloch has leaned on his role as a faith leader and community organizer to build momentum. Their showdown will determine the city’s next chapter of leadership as Mayor Mike Duggan leaves office after more than a decade in power. That race will shape the city’s direction on issues ranging from housing and economic development to public safety and infrastructure.
The ballot will also include races for city clerk, city council, the board of police commissioners, and members of the community advisory council. In several council districts, the primary narrowed crowded fields to two candidates who will now face each other in November. Districts 2, 5, and 7 are among the most competitive. In District 7, the seat left open by Fred Durhal III’s mayoral run has drawn strong interest. Candidates include Denzel Anton McCampbell, Bobbi Johnson, Regina Ross, and State Representative Karen Whitsett, making it one of the most closely watched local contests.
Other council districts with fewer candidates moved directly to the general election ballot, where voters will still weigh in on who represents them for the next four years. The board of police commissioners, a civilian body that oversees the Detroit Police Department, will also see new members chosen this fall. These offices, though often receiving less attention than the mayor’s race, play significant roles in shaping policy, oversight, and neighborhood representation across the city.
Together, the slate of candidates reflects both continuity and change. Longtime political leaders are vying for higher office while new voices are emerging to represent neighborhoods and advocate for reforms. Detroiters heading to the polls will be casting ballots not only for the city’s top executive but also for the officials who will govern at every level of city hall.
For those who prefer voting in person, polling places will open statewide at 7 a.m. on Election Day and close at 8 p.m. The dual options—absentee and in-person voting—reflect Michigan’s ongoing effort to balance accessibility with accountability. The absentee process provides convenience for voters who cannot or prefer not to vote in person, while traditional polling stations continue to serve as a cornerstone of civic participation.
The November 4 general election marks the culmination of countless individual decisions to engage, prepare, and make voices heard.
