Updated March 26, 2026, 7:58 a.m. ET
Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated tirades against mail-in voting, he recently voted by mail in a Florida election and Michiganders have the same ability in all state and federal elections.
Trump voted by mail in a March 24 Florida state representative special election, according to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections voter records, Florida Today reported.
Mail-in voting is a secure, legal option for Michigan voters who can’t make it to the polls on election day, Michigan officials say.
“All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home. Voters can also request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election,” the Michigan Department of State’s website says.
The Michigan Department of State offers mail-in voting via absentee ballots, which eligible residents can submit by mail, at your local clerk’s office, at an early voting site or at an absentee ballot drop box.
The deadline to return absentee ballots to your local clerk’s office to have them counted in an election is 8 p.m. on Election Day, with the exception of military and overseas ballots, according to the Michigan Department of State.
The next statewide Michigan elections aren’t until August, although there are other elections this year for which voters may want to use absentee ballots.
Here’s what to know about mail-in voting in Michigan.
Did Trump vote by mail?
Yes, President Donald Trump voted by mail in a recent Florida special election, though he has often criticized mail-in voting, Florida Today reported.
Trump said in August 2025 his party would do everything in its power to get rid of mail-in voting, calling mail-in ballots “corrupt.”
“You know, brought to my attention today that we’re the only country that does mail-in voting. Mail-in voting means mail-in cheating. I call it ‘mail-in cheating,’ and we got to do something about it all,” Trump said in Memphis on March 23.
Can you vote by mail in Michigan?
Yes, voting by mail is allowed in Michigan with an absent voter ballot, according to the Michigan Department of State.
How can I get an absentee or mail-in ballot in Michigan?
All registered voters in Michigan have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot delivered to their home.
Voters can request an absentee ballot directly from their local clerk’s office or online. Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days prior to every election.
To request a ballot online, you need a driver’s license or state ID. You must affirm your citizenship, approve your signature, state your military status (if you have one), provide driver’s license number, Social Security number and other information.
Michigan voters can join the permanent absentee ballot list by checking a box on the application to automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election.
How to return absentee ballots in Michigan
To vote by mail in Michigan, fill out your absentee ballot, insert in the provided secrecy sleeve, place it in the return envelope and sign and date the return envelope, per the Department of State.
To return your completed absentee ballot, you can take return it at your local clerk’s office, at an early voting site, via mail or at your clerk’s absentee ballot drop box.
Absentee ballot envelopes will contain a ballot, a secrecy sleeve, and ballot marking instructions. Voters who make a mistake when filling out an absentee ballot must request a new ballot from their local clerk’s office for the error to be corrected.
When is the deadline to return absentee ballots in Michigan?
Your local clerk’s office must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted, with the exception of military and overseas ballots.
If you are mailing in your absentee ballot, the Department of State recommends placing it in the mail at least 14 days ahead of Election Day to ensure it arrives on time. For drop boxes, you must place your absentee ballot in the box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
If you’re not yet registered to vote, you can register and complete an absentee ballot at your local clerk’s office on Election Day, as long as you’re in line by 8 p.m., the Department of State said.
Can I have someone else return my ballot?
The following individuals are legally permitted to return a voter’s absentee ballot:
- The voter.
- A member of the voter’s immediate family who has been asked to return the ballot.
- A person residing in the voter’s household who has been asked to return the ballot.
- A mail carrier during the course of their official duty.
- An authorized election official in the voter’s jurisdiction.
It is a felony in Michigan for a person other than those listed to possess or deliver a ballot regardless of whether it has been voted.
Florida Today contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
