Absentee Ballots

Absentee Voting

All registered voters in Michigan can vote before Election Day by absentee ballot. You don’t need an excuse or a reason. You can vote by absentee ballot through the mail, without ever having to leave your home.

An application is required in order to receive an absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots will be available 75 days before every election. Once your application is received by our office we will mail your absentee ballot to you. You then need to return your absentee ballot by 8:00 PM on Election Day in order for your vote to be counted.

Learn more about voting at home by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Permanent Absentee Ballot List

In 2022, Michigan Voters approved the proposal that allows voters to receive an Absentee Ballot by completing an application once and receiving an absentee ballot for all elections moving forward. Make sure to review your options when receiving an application for absentee ballot. If you feel that the Permanent Absentee Ballot option is right for you, complete the application by checking the box to join the Permanent Absentee Ballot List. Make sure to sign and date the form where appropriate. This is not mandatory and may not be appropriate for each voters’ situation. You may request in writing to be removed from the Permanent Absentee Ballot List at any time.  This written request must include your signature. If you are going to be temporarily away for an upcoming election, it is your responsibility to notify the Clerk’s Office to send the absentee ballot to a different address. Ballots are not able to be forwarded through the United States Postal mail. If you move within the State of Michigan and update your voter registration address, your status on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List will remain with you at your new Michigan residential location. Please note that Power of Attorney does not apply to voting.  Only the voter themselves may sign an application requesting a ballot.  In addition, only the voter may sign the ballot envelope.

FAQ's about the Permanent Absentee Ballot List.

Absent Voter Ballot Application

An Absentee Voter Ballot can be requested by

Please include your name and return address in your written request to the City Clerk’s office. Please return all completed applications to:
City of Battle Creek Clerk's Office
Attention: Absentee Ballot Application
10 N. Division St, Rm 111
Battle Creek, MI 49014

Applications for absentee ballots are accepted beginning 75 days prior to each election. Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot by mail until the Friday just prior to the election. Registered voters can also apply for and vote an absentee ballot in person at the Clerk’s Office during regular business hours beginning forty days before each election or during special hours on the last Saturday before each election. The final deadline to apply for an absentee ballot in person is 4 pm, the Monday before each election.

The Clerk’s Office will be open for in-person voter registration and absentee ballot requests on the Saturday before each election from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Voters registering to vote within 14 days of an election will be required to provide proof of residency.

Additional Information

Voters requesting and picking up absentee ballots in person at the Clerk’s Office will be subject to the Michigan voter identification requirement. Ballots issued in person are only given to the voter. Spouses and family members may return applications, but may not pick up ballots for each other.

If you have confirmed through the Michigan Voter Information Center website that an absentee ballot has been sent to you for the current election and you have not received it, you can complete and submit the Affidavit of Lost/Surrendered Absentee Voter Ballot Form via email to the City Clerk or in person. Once we receive your signed form we will re-issue your ballot.