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 October 24. You can register in person any time up through Election Day on November 8, but it is best to register as soon as possible.
  • Decide how you want to vote. You can vote absentee, or in person on election day. Given the public health crisis, members of the U-M community are strongly encouraged to vote absentee.

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 November 4 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.

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. You have the right to vote if you are in line by 8 p.m.
  • 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: