2026 Election Dates

August 4, 2026, State Primary

November 3, 2026, General Election

Voters on the Permanent Ballot list will have absentee ballots mailed to their residential address or permanent mailing address 40 days before an election.  You may view your voter information, including tracking your absentee ballot, at michigan.gov/vote.  If not on the Permanent Ballot list, an absent voter's ballot application must be completed before an absent voter's ballot may be issued.  Contact the Clerk's office via e-mail or call 248-674-6266 to request an absent voter's ballot application.

Spoiled Absentee Ballots
Voters must submit an absent voter ballot affidavit to spoil a ballot. Voters have the right to spoil a ballot under most circumstances, and requests for new ballots must always include the voter’s signature and must be submitted in writing.  The following are the voter’s options:

Voter VOTED and RETURNED their ballot and request to spoil it and receive a new one:

• Voters who have returned an AV ballot may spoil by 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday before an election.

• A voter's ballot cannot be spoiled once it has been tabulated (765b(9))

Voter Lost or Never Received Absent Voter Ballot:

• May request a new ballot be mailed until 5:00 pm on the Friday before the election

• May request a new ballot in person until 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election

• May vote in person on election day by completing the Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Absent Voter Ballot

Voters must submit an absent voter ballot affidavit before receiving a new ballot.

Voter Received an AV Ballot and Requested to spoil it and receive a new one:

• May request a new ballot be mailed until 5:00 pm on the Friday before the election

• May request a new ballot in person until 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election

• May vote in person on election day by completing the Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Absent Voter Ballot

Voters must submit an absent voter ballot affidavit before receiving a new ballot.

Permanent Absent Voter's List
With the recent passage of Proposal 22-2, registered voters can now be placed on the Permanent Ballot List. Being on the Permanent Ballot List, you will automatically be mailed an absent voter ballot for each future election for which you are eligible.  You may request to be added to the Permanent Ballot List at www.michigan.gov/vote or stop into the Clerk's office and complete a form.

Application for Election Worker

The Waterford Clerk's Office is accepting applications for Poll Workers. Fill out an Election Inspector Application (PDF).  Election workers' pay starts at $200.00, plus additional training pay.

Absent Voter Ballot Applications

If not on the Permanent Ballot list, an absent voter's ballot application must be completed before an absent voter's ballot may be issued.  Contact the Clerk's office via e-mail or call 248-674-6266 to request an absent voter's ballot application.

The persons who may be in lawful possession of a signed absentee ballot request are limited to 1) the applicant

2) a member of the applicant’s immediate family

3) a person residing in the applicant’s household

4) a person whose job normally includes the handling of mail (but only during the course of his or her employment)

5) a registered elector asked to handle the application by the applicant

6) an authorized election official. 

A violation is a misdemeanor.

A registered elector who returns an AV ballot application at the request of the applicant must sign the Certificate of Authorized Registered Elector Returning Absentee Ballot Application portion of the application.

Ballot Marking Instructions 

Click here for the Updated Ballot Marking Instructions PDF.  

Returning Absent Voter's Ballot
The persons who may return an absentee ballot are limited to:

 1) the voter
 2) a member of the voter’s immediate family who has been asked to return the ballot
 3) a person residing in the voter’s household who has been asked to return the ballot
 4) a person whose job normally includes the handling of mail (but only during his or her employment)
 5) an authorized election official.
 
A violation is a felony.

Vacation Alert

Please note that election mail will not be forwarded. If you will be away from your Michigan address, contact the Clerk's office (248-674-6266 or by e-mail) to have, an application mailed directly to you.