STUDENTS: REGISTER & VOTE IN MICHIGAN

1. REGISTER

Michigan allows eligible residents to preregister beginning at age 16. Residents who are at least 17½ can register to vote if they will be 18 by Election Day.

REGISTER / PREREGISTER

Online/mail registration deadline for the November 3 election: October 19, 2026.

After October 19, eligible voters can still register in person at their local clerk’s office through Election Day. Voters registering within 14 days of the election must provide proof of residency.

2. CHECK

Already registered? Confirm your registration status and current information.

CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION

3. MAKE A VOTING PLAN

• Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
• Early voting: October 24–November 1, 2026
• Absentee ballots available: September 24, 2026

Michigan’s statewide early voting period runs for nine days, from October 24 through November 1. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days before an election.

MICHIGAN VOTING INFORMATION

4. CHECK YOUR ID

Voters are asked to present an acceptable photo ID when voting in person. However, a voter who does not have acceptable photo ID can still vote by signing an affidavit confirming they are not in possession of photo identification.

FIRST-TIME VOTER GUIDE

NEED HELP? USEFUL NONPARTISAN LINKS

VoteRiders: Free, nonpartisan help with voter-ID questions.

VOTE411: Nonpartisan candidate, ballot and election information from the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

The Civics Center: Michigan-specific high-school registration information and student-drive resources.

Michigan Center for Civic Education: Civic learning and youth civic-engagement resources.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Become a paid poll worker beginning at age 16, subject to applicable requirements.
• Serve as a student registration leader.
• Help younger students preregister at 16.
• Volunteer with qualified nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organizations.
• Share official voting information with classmates.

HOW IS MICHIGAN DOING?

78% of Michigan’s 18-year-olds were registered as of May 1, 2026, compared with more than 90% of people age 45+. About 130,000 Michiganders turn 18 each year.

Important: Display the registration rate together with its snapshot date and election-cycle context.

EXPLORE THE DATA

SCHOOLS, PROGRAMS & COMMUNITIES TO WATCH

MI Vote Matters

State program encouraging measurable high-school registration outcomes, student Team Captains, registration drives and school recognition. Learn more

High-performing counties

Many counties were above 90% registration among 18-year-olds in the May 1, 2026 snapshot, suggesting a broad system effect rather than isolated school success. Learn more

Earlier MI Vote Matters schools

Examples include Battle Creek Central, Fenton Area Public Schools, Fordson, L’Anse Creuse North and Traverse City West. These should be labeled as earlier examples, not necessarily current 2026 leaders. Learn more

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM MICHIGAN?

Michigan suggests that starting early, preregistering at 16, creating repeated opportunities, measuring outcomes and using student leaders can make registration part of the high-school experience rather than an election-season event.