Voting Info for Patients

Supporting Voting Rights of Hospitalized Patients

Patients experiencing an unexpected hospitalization may face challenges in exercising their right to vote. Inability to travel to the polls to vote, or missing the deadline to request an absentee ballot can be an additional source of distress and disappointment for voters hospitalized during elections. Michigan Medicine is committed to nonpartisan conversation and support around voting, to empower patients to make an informed plan to vote, while adhering to public health guidance.

Make a plan to vote

  • Register to vote: Check your registration status and register to vote by visiting www.nass.org/can-I-vote. In Michigan, you can register to vote online until Oct. 21. You can register in person any time up through Election Day on November 5, but it is best to register as soon as possible.
  • Decide how you want to vote: You can vote absentee, in person during the nine days of early voting beginning October 26, or in person on Election Day (November 5).

If voting absentee, you have two options:

  • Request your ballot. There are many ways to request an absentee ballot. Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online before Nov. 1 by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center online. Eligible voters can now request accessible absentee ballots on the site, allowing them to use accessible technology to vote their ballot independently. Alternatively, you can request a ballot from your township or city clerk prior to election day.
  • Return your ballot early. Ballots can be returned by mail, or to your clerk’s office directly. Voters are encouraged to return absentee ballots as early as possible. Michigan absentee ballots returned by mail must be received by mail or returned in person to your city or township clerk no later than 8:00pm on Election Day. Returning an absentee ballot by mail is not recommended within 14 days of an election to avoid potential mailing delays. 

If voting in-person:

  • Know where you vote. Find your polling location at www.michigan.gov/vote.
  • Decide when you’ll vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Election Day. You have the right to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m. You also have the ability to vote early, which must be offered from October 26 through November 3 for at least eight hours a day, but some communities will have early voting for additional days and hours.
  • Know what to expect at the polls. Find full details at michigan.gov/vote.
  • View your ballot ahead of time by leveraging non-partisan online resources like www.ballotready.org.

U-M Health social workers and U-M Medical School students are also provided training in the resources needed to appropriately direct patients and families in accessing an emergency absentee ballot while hospitalized, to support the voting rights of hospitalized patients.

Register to vote information in other languages: