Vote By Mail

Absentee ballots

Absentee ballots are mailed 45 days before each election for voters outside the U.S. and shortly after for all other voters. Voters must submit a signed application each election in order to receive a ballot. Ballots are not sent automatically!

All returned absentee ballot envelopes are processed and tabulated on Election Day. Absentee ballots are counted by an absent voter counting board and the votes are applied to each voter’s assigned precinct along with all of the votes cast on Election Day.

Become Part of Our Permanent application List

Avoid the lines on Election Day. With the passage of Proposal 3 in 2018, a reason is no longer required for requesting an Absentee Ballot. If you would like an Absentee Ballot Application automatically mailed to you for every election you may submit a request electronically: Permanent Absentee Ballot Request Mailing List (HTML).

Absent Voter Ballot Application

An Absentee Voter Ballot Application can be requested by

  • Electronically requesting a ballot here
  • Picking up an application from the Canton Clerk’s Office
  • Emailing your request to cantonclerk@canton-mi.org

Please include your name and return address in your written request to the Canton Clerk’s office. Please return all completed applications to:

Canton Clerk’s Office
Attention: Absentee Ballot Application
1150 S. Canton Center Road
Canton, MI 48188-1699

The Clerk’s Office will be open for in-person voter registration and absentee ballot requests on the Saturday before each election from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 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. 

You may also place the completed applications in the drop box located on the southwest corner of the Canton Administration Building.