All of Your Questions Concerning the 2018 General Election, Answered

Beating long lines, what to bring, where to find your precinct, and more
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Tomorrow, Nov. 6, is election day. Whether you’re looking for information on how to find your designated precinct, skip long waiting lines to vote, or what to do if you don’t beat the rush, we’ve got answers for you.

Locate Your Polling Place 

Polls will be open between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Finding your precinct before doors close at 8 p.m. is optimal to beating the frenzy to elect. Visit Michigan.gov/vote prior to Tuesday morning to find your local polling place. Submit your first and last name, birth date and zip code, or driver’s license number to find your voter’s information. In addition, voters can preview their district’s ballet and check on their voter registration information, while those who voted early can check on the status of their absentee ballot. The Michigan Voter Information Center offers an FAQ section to address all questions concerning statewide ballot proposals, voting equipment, and military and overseas voting.

Showed Up to the Wrong Precinct? 

Unfortunately, you will have to travel to your correct polling place in order to cast a ballot. While time consuming, voting at your precinct will ensure that your vote will be accounted for. For those who arrive to the right destination and find that their name is not on the list of registered voters — take a breath — as pollers will ask you to produce a voter registration receipt that bears a date on or the before the deadline (Oct. 6). Provisional ballots will be provided for those who do not provide adequate identification. Word of Advice: Dig up your voter’s registration card tonight to avoid the unexpected.

Skip the Wait, and Get to Voting

Polls across Michigan will open promptly at 7 a.m. to cater to the undoubtedly long line of voters eager to cast their ballots. To avoid the wait, the State of Michigan’s Bureau of Elections suggests visiting your precinct between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to save yourself from waiting hours in line, schedule permitting. Between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., voters are trying to cast their ballot before the start of the work day, while 4 p.m. and 8 p.m plays host to the rush-hour crowd.

If You Are Stuck Waiting

If you do not plan to wake up before dawn or skip out of work early, odds are you’ll miss the opportune window to beat the rush of voters. Unsure of who and what to vote for? A hefty wait time presents the perfect opportunity to find out where you stand on Michigan’s proposals to legalize marijuana, put the power of gerrymandering in the hands of citizens, and implement automatic Election Day voter registration. Check out the Secretary of State’s brief to get informed before you step inside a voting booth. If you’re already up to date on the election, hourdetroit.com has a slew of reads that will help pass the time. Curious to know what Michigan’s first state election was like, or how many presidents came from the mitten state? You’ll find the answers to these questions over on our website.

What to Bring

It’s state law that everyone, yes even Governor Snyder, is required to show identification, such as a Michigan driver’s license, U.S. passport, or state, military, or student ID, in order to vote. Those who do not bring identification will have to sign an affidavit to vote and although voter registration cards do not have to be presented, as your local precinct should have your information upon check-in,  they do come in handy if your name does not appear in your precinct’s list of voter’s information. Don’t fret if you’re not inside your precinct by closing time to vote, as those in line by 8 p.m. are entitled to cast a ballot.


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