Change Your Mind on a Vote? How to Spoil an Absentee Ballot in Michigan

Many people are voting by absentee ballot in this year’s elections. If you do so, did you know that you’re allowed to change your vote?

If you submitted your ballot, you are allowed to change your vote. It’s called spoiling your ballot.

According to the Secretary of State, voters are able to spoil their ballot by submitting a written request to their city or township clerk.

The voter must sign the request and say that they would like a new absentee ballot mailed to them or will pick it up in person. At this point, they should pick it up in person.

If the absentee ballot has been returned to the clerk, that request needs to be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election (Nov. 4). If an absentee ballot has not been returned to the clerk, it may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. the Monday before the election (Nov. 7).

Also, if a voter has not returned their ballot, they can surrender the ballot or sign a statement saying it was lost or destroyed and vote at the polls.