Voter guide for Michigan election 2022: See who's on your ballot

Detroit Free Press staff
·5 min read
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Get ready for today's mid-term election. This page offers information on what to expect at the polls, how to register to vote on Election Day and a voter guide where you can hear directly from the candidates on your ballot. You also can learn about key races to watch, your new political districts and you can read up on the Free Press Editorial Board's endorsements.

The Free Press sent questionnaires to hundreds of candidates running for congressional statewide, judicial, county and school board races across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

Find out who is on your ballot and what they had to say.

What to expect at the polls on Election Day

Election Day in Michigan is today, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls open at 7 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m.

Find your polling location at michigan.gov/vote.

If you're in line by 8 p.m., you can still vote.

Once you make it to your polling place, an election worker will likely ask to see your photo ID. If you don't have it with you, you're still able to vote as long as you sign an affidavit promising you are who you say you are. You'll likely need to sign a separate paper once you're there, again affirming your identity. At that point, the election worker will give you your ballot and direct you to a voting booth.

The Secretary of State's office says poll watchers and challengers are not allowed to speak to voters and recommends reporting violations of this rule to an election worker at your polling place. The office also has a phone number to report incidents of voter intimidation, harassment or coercion: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1866-687-8683.

Here's more on what to expect on at the polls on Election Day.

Can I still register to vote in Michigan?

You can register to vote up through and on Election Day, as long as you're in line by 8 p.m. To do so, you must be a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years old on Election Day when you vote, a Michigan resident when you register and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days when you vote. Voters who move within the state of Michigan 60 days for fewer before an election can vote in the precinct where they are registered at their previous address.

You can register in person any time up to 8 p.m. on Election Day, at your local clerk's office. The state stopped accepting voter registrations online after Oct. 24. You must register in person with proof of residency at your local clerk's office. You can find your clerk's office at this website.

Read more about voting absentee and registering to vote in this FAQ by Free Press Politics Reporter Clara Hendrickson.

Can I still vote absentee?

It is too late to request an absentee ballot. If you already have an absentee ballot, fill it out and drop it off at your local clerk's office or at their drop box. Ballots must be received by your local clerk by 8 p.m. on, Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 8.

To find the address and hours of your local clerk's office or satellite office, go to https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us and click "Where are my clerk's offices," and then enter the address where you are registered to vote.

Don't forget to sign the absentee ballot return envelope.

>> Use our voter guide here.

When will we know Michigan election results?

In 2018, Michigan voters approved a ballot proposal expanding the use of absentee ballots. While absentee ballots can be submitted weeks before Election Day, election workers cannot begin counting them until Election Day itself.

In 2020, Michigan’s statewide results weren’t available on election night — it’s likely that remains the case this year.

Election workers have to pre-process absentee ballots before counting them. Since absentee ballots can be submitted up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, it’s possible election workers in some jurisdictions may not get to start counting some ballots until well after polls close.

Read more about the absentee ballot counting process.

More information about the Nov. 8 election

Listen: On The Line podcast− Pre-Election Edition

Key Michigan races

Michigan's candidates for governor: Where incumbent Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon stand

Michigan Attorney General: IncumbentDana Nessel faces GOP challenger Matthew DePerno

Michigan Secretary of State: Incumbent Jocelyn Benson faces GOP challenger Kristina Karamo

Michigan's ballot proposals for the 2022 election: Everything you need to know about Proposals 1, 2 and 3

Detroit Free Press Editorial Board Endorsements

The Free Press Editorial Board has made endorsements in races up and down the ballot in the November mid-term election. The board, which operates independent from the Free Press' political reporters, bases its recommendations on questionnaires the board sent to candidates, interviews with candidates and additional reporting.

Here are links to the editorial board's endorsements:

More voter resources

Dave Boucher, Arpan Lobo, Clara Hendrickson, Liam Rappleye and Jewel Gopwani contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan election 2022 voter guide: Who's on your ballot