Wondering if your absentee ballot was received? You can check online in Michigan.
State election officials say they've received more than one million absentee ballots ahead of Election Day in Michigan, Tuesday, Nov. 8. If you're curious as to whether your local clerk has received your ballot, there are ways to verify that it's been received before the election.
The Michigan Voter Information Center, at michigan.gov/vote, is an online resource where voters can catch up on a myriad of election details, including the status of their absentee ballot.
On the website, you can search for your voter information, either by name and the zip code you're registered to vote in or by your driver's license number.
In addition to tracking your absentee ballot, you can also check your voter registration status, view what's going to be on your ballot and check the location of your polling place.
The website also contains contact information for your local clerk — they will be able to verify if your ballot has been received, as well.
More:Voter guide for Michigan election 2022: Macomb, Oakland, Wayne counties
More:Election Day 2022 in Michigan is next week. Here's what you need to know
It says my ballot hasn't been received — what now?
If you've mailed in your absentee ballot at least two weeks before Election Day, it's still likely to get to your local clerk before polls close Tuesday. This close to the election, however, it's encouraged that absentee ballots are returned directly to your clerk's office or in secure dropboxes in the city or township you are voting in. Locations for the dropboxes can be found on the Michigan Voter Information Center.
I'm still worried — can I 'spoil' my absentee ballot?
If you are concerned that your ballot won't make it to your clerk's office in time, you do have the option of spoiling an absentee ballot.
Voters can spoil an absentee ballot for any reason, but common factors include a candidate dropping out of a race or a voter being concerned their ballot won't be received in time.
To spoil a ballot, a voter must submit a written request with their local clerk.
If an absentee ballot has not been received, voters have until 4 p.m. the Monday before Election Day to go in person to their local clerk's office and submit a request to spoil their absentee ballot. Since it's so close to Election Day, it's probably a better option to visit your clerk's office in person rather than submit the spoiling request through the mail.
If your ballot has been received by your local clerk and you'd still like to spoil it for any reason, this request must be submitted by 5 p.m. the Friday before Election Day.
If you requested an absentee ballot but have not returned it by Election Day, you can surrender your ballot at the polls or sign a statement saying the absentee ballot was lost or destroyed. This will allow you to cast your vote at your local precinct.
Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Check status of Michigan absentee ballot: How to track it was received
