#fordschoolvotes

Go Vote. Go Blue. Here, we've gathered election and voting resources for the Ford School community.

Vote early or on November 3

In our community dedicated to the public good, we believe that participating in democracy is an irreplaceable way to strengthen it. We welcome everyone in our community into that work, and we strongly encourage all eligible citizens to vote in the upcoming election, and in all elections.

Make sure your voice is heard this election! Vote

This year, amid the pandemic, public health and election officials highly recommend that voters cast their ballots early or by absentee/mail. Those casting their ballots in person on election day should follow public health guidance, including wearing masks and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others inside polling locations.

Michigan voter checklist and deadlines

Voting in Ann Arbor

If you're voting in Ann Arbor, the easiest thing to do is to go to the A2 City Clerk's satellite office at UMMA, where you can register, request a ballot, fill it out, and submit it all at the same time.

Registration

You can still register to vote in Michigan up to and including election day, Tuesday, November 3 in person at your local clerk's office with proof of residency. For anyone in Ann Arbor, go to UMMA.

Absentee voting

Requesting your ballot from your local clerk

If you're requesting an absentee/mail-in ballot, do it as soon as you can. You can request one online with a Michigan driver's license, or fill out a form and email it back to your local clerk. If you're mailing in the request, it has to be received by October 30, but it is best to request your ballot as early as possible. You can request an absentee ballot in person at your local clerk's office until November 2 (4:00 pm).

Returning your absentee ballot

Return your absentee ballot as soon as possible. The easiest thing to do is to drop it off with your local clerk or in an official ballot drop box by November 3 (8:00 pm). If you're mailing it in, the Michigan Secretary of State strongly recommends mailing your ballot by October 19, and it must be postmarked by November 2.

In person at your polling place

The polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm for all Michigan elections. Find your polling location →

Resources for registering and voting

From registration to submitting your vote, knowing the election process in your state and making a specific plan to cast your ballot are important steps that'll make your voice heard. As you look at your voting checklist above, here are the places that'll help you make that happen.

Planning to vote, but not sure if you're actually registered? Or where you're registered? Find out now so that you can make any necessary registration updates prior to election day.

Students may register to vote from their "home" address or their campus address. Michigan offers online voter registration and no-reason absentee voting.

A student stands at a Mac computer in one of U-M's state of the art campus computing centers

Planning to vote in another state? TurboVote and the University of Michigan can help you get registered wherever you call home.

Ann Arbor absentee ballot package (no ballot shown)

Learn about voting from home and track the lifecycle of your absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Polls in Michigan will be open from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm on election day. For the safety of others, wear a mask and maintain six feet of social distance at your polling location.

Open 10am – 7pm, Monday through Friday. Enter through the UMMA Cafe with MCard. Register to vote, update your registration, and request and return your absentee ballot.

International students

International students, while ineligible to vote in U.S. elections, so enrich our community and contribute to democracy here and abroad. We welcome all our students in efforts to register voters, educate themselves and others on election topics, and advocate for issues that are important to them.

Understanding the U.S. elections as an international student
Tips from the University of Michigan International Center
Host a SparkVotes Party, part of the Creative Campus Voting Project
Enter a Democracy Café, part of the Democracy & Debate theme semester
Serve as a Michigan election worker
Share your election, debate, or democracy-related, socially-distant activities on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using #fordschoolvotes

Vote-themed Zoom virtual backgrounds

Promote the vote on your Zoom calls. Remind others to cast their ballots and share that you've voted with one (or all!) of our limited-edition, Ford School-branded Zoom virtual backgrounds.

Download the backgrounds from Box

U-M resources

Big Ten Voting Challenge

Voting FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Ginsberg Center

Training on Voting in the 2020 Election (PDF)

Creative Campus Voting Project

Voting tips in your inbox each Tuesday

Canvas

Democracy Café directory

Speak. Act. Vote.

Democracy & Debate theme semester

Student Organization

Turn Up Turnout

Decision tree

Filling in the details of your voting plan

Service opportunities

On campus

Sign up to be an election worker at U-M

Michigan

Sign up to be an election worker in Michigan

Other states

Sign up to work elections in other states

“Remember that none of us are more than caretakers of this great country. Remember that the more freedom you give to others, the more you will have for yourself. Remember that without law there can be no liberty. And remember, as well, the rich treasures you brought from whence you came, and let us share your pride in them.”