My Candidate Has Dropped Out. How Do I Handle My Mail-In Ballot?

It's important to know you have options if you have already filled out your Michigan mail-in ballot for a candidate who has since dropped out, such as Mallory McMorrow, who has dropped out of the U.S. Senate race. Below is guidance from the Election Protection Program (EPP) on how to spoil your current filled-out ballot and get a new one so you can vote for a candidate who is still in the race.

• If you want to change your vote but have already returned your absentee ballot to your local clerk, what should you do?

  • You have until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 24, to submit a signed, written request to your city or township clerk to spoil (cancel) your original absentee ballot and receive a new one. We recommend submitting this request in person at your clerk's office so you can pick up your new ballot right away. If that's not possible, you can submit this request by mail, but it must be received by your clerk by the deadline (5 p.m. on July 24).

  • Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk or go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk’s offices?”

• If you want to change your vote and still have your absentee ballot (you have not returned your ballot to your local clerk)? You have options!

  • Option 1: You can submit a signed, written request to your local clerk by mail. We recommend submitting this request no later than Tuesday, July 14 to ensure you have enough time to receive it and vote a new one.

    • Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk or go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk’s offices?”

  • Option 2: You can go in person to your city or township clerk's office by 4 p.m. on Monday, August 3, and submit a signed written request to spoil (cancel) your original absentee ballot and vote a new one.

    • Find your local clerk: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index/#yourclerk or go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where are my clerk’s offices?”

  • Option 3: You can go in person to your early voting site or polling place on Election Day (August 4) and sign a simple form to spoil (cancel) your original absentee ballot and receive a new ballot to vote on-site.

    • Find your early voting site: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index#early-voting-search-section or go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where do I go to Early Vote?”

    • Find your Election Day polling place: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index or go to mi.gov/vote and select “Where is my polling place?”