If your Michigan absentee ballot was lost or never arrived, contact your city or township clerk and submit a signed written request to spoil the original and issue a replacement. Michigan often calls an absentee ballot an absent voter ballot. The deadline determines whether the replacement can be mailed or must be issued and voted at the clerk’s office.
Get a replacement if your ballot is lost or has not arrived
- Find your local clerk. Use Michigan’s absentee-voting page to find clerk information and check your ballot status through Michigan.gov/Vote.
- Send a signed written request. Ask the clerk to spoil the ballot already issued and provide a new one. The state form is titled Request to Spoil Absent Voter Ballot. The form says an elector who has lost a ballot or has not yet received it may submit a signed written statement asking the clerk to spoil it and provide or mail a new ballot.
- Choose the method based on the deadline. If the clerk receives your request by 5 p.m. on the Friday immediately before Election Day, you may ask for the replacement to be mailed, or go to the clerk’s office to vote. Check with your clerk about any Sunday or legal-holiday qualification.
If it is after 5 p.m. Friday
After the Friday cutoff, you must go to the clerk’s office before 4 p.m. on the day before Election Day, submit the written request, and vote the replacement there. You cannot take this late replacement ballot away to complete or return later. Michigan’s lost, destroyed, or undelivered ballot guidance and Election Officials Manual, Chapter 6 describe this process.
If there is no time to get a replacement from the clerk
For a lost or never-received ballot, you can go to your Election Day polling place, complete the Affidavit of Lost or Destroyed Absent Voter Ballot, and cast a regular ballot. The state’s Election Officials Manual notes that a voter using this affidavit may be subject to a challenge by a properly credentialed election challenger.
Check which ballot problem applies to you
Deadlines differ depending on whether the ballot is lost, already returned, rejected, or counted. Do not use the lost-ballot replacement deadline for a ballot you already sent back.
#1 Best Overall
- Privacy Tinted: Our pure white no. 9 envelopes feature traditional V-shaped flaps and dual diagonal seams for formal mailing, slimline cards, and invitations. The tinted pattern obscures the contents making it difficult for others to see through.
- Compact Size: Envelopes #9 compact dimensions - 3 7/8"x8 7/8" or 9.84x20.32 cm. Fit a 3-folded piece of 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper perfectly. They also fit neatly inside #10 envelopes, eliminating the need for folding when sending return envelopes.
- Traditional Gummed Seal: Our #9 business envelopes offer a reliable way to seal the envelope, providing peace of mind that contents will remain intact during transit. This adhesive seal creates a strong bond that helps prevent accidental opening.
- Printer-Friendly Design: The windowless design of our white envelopes letter size provides a printable surface for easier print labeling or hand addressing. This makes them perfect for business mailing or hand addressing for home use.
- Optimal Quantity: 100 pack of #9 mailing envelopes is perfect for regular use without the need for excessive spending on bulk 500 packs. It enables you to try different envelope types and sizes to find the best option for your home & business needs.
| Ballot situation | What to do | Deadline or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lost or never received | Request in writing that the clerk spoil the issued ballot and provide a replacement; use the clerk’s office or polling-place affidavit option as applicable. | Request a mailed replacement by 5 p.m. Friday before Election Day. For a later replacement, appear at the clerk’s office before 4 p.m. the day before Election Day and vote it there. Michigan Department of State |
| Received but not returned | Follow the lost-ballot procedure if you cannot use the ballot and need it replaced. | Use the Friday and clerk-office deadlines above. Election Officials Manual |
| Already returned; you want to change your vote | Submit a signed written request to the clerk to spoil the returned ballot. | The clerk must receive the request by 5 p.m. on the second Friday before Election Day. A ballot that has been tabulated cannot be spoiled. Michigan absentee-voting guidance |
| Rejected for a missing or mismatched signature | Contact your clerk promptly and follow the state’s signature-cure instructions; do not assume the lost-ballot process applies. | The state says a written replacement request for the rejected ballot must be received by 5 p.m. two Fridays before Election Day. The signature-cure form has its own deadline and delivery options. Signature cure guidelines |
| Already tabulated | The ballot cannot be changed or spoiled. | Not eligible for spoiling after tabulation. Michigan early in-person voting FAQ |
Allow time for a mailed ballot to arrive
For most voters, a mailed absentee ballot must reach the local clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day to count—not merely be postmarked by then. A replacement mailed close to the election may not arrive in time, so check its status through Michigan.gov/Vote and contact the clerk promptly if timing is tight. Military and overseas voters have different return rules. See the state’s absentee-voting guidance for return information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Get business envelopes with personalized return address
- Quick moisture seal across the entire width that won't open or tear
- Pick from two different address layouts
- Professionally printed on high quality envelopes
Rank #4
- Privacy Tinted: Our pure white no. 9 envelopes feature traditional V-shaped flaps and dual diagonal seams for formal mailing, slimline cards, and invitations. The tinted pattern obscures the contents making it difficult for others to see through.
- Compact Size: Envelopes #9 compact dimensions - 3 7/8"x8 7/8" or 9.84x20.32 cm. Fit a 3-folded piece of 8 1/2"x11" piece of paper perfectly. They also fit neatly inside #10 envelopes, eliminating the need for folding when sending return envelopes.
- Envelopes Self Seal: Peel & seal closure designed to make envelope sealing effortless. Simply peel off the protective strip and press to seal - no more licking required. This hassle-free closure saves you time and effort.
- Printer-Friendly Design: The windowless design of our white 24 lb paper envelopes letter size provides a printable surface for easier print labeling or hand addressing. This makes them perfect for business mailing or hand addressing for home use.
- Optimal Quantity: 100 pack of #9 mailing envelopes is perfect for regular use without the need for excessive spending on bulk 500 packs. It enables you to try different envelope types and sizes to find the best option for your home & business needs.
Rank #3
- Size: 6 1/8 x 3 1/2
- Fits inside most envelopes without folding
- Imprint is Free Color is Blue
- Pricing is for 500 envelopes
Rank #2
- #9 SECURITY-TINTED GUMMED ENVELOPES; The durable, woven paper extends the tampering resistance of this envelope, standing up to normal postal wear and tear without damage, perfect for documents and sensitive correspondence
- PREMIUM SECURITY TINTED PATTERN; Our #9 envelopes are designed with a premium security printed design to protect contents and sensitive information, perfect for secure business and legal mailing while safeguarding sensitive information.
- WINDOWLESS DESIGN; envelopes ideal for standard business & legal documents and sensitive correspondence, manufactured with a windowless front panel for easy printing, labeling, or hand-addressing, perfect for quick, mass business mailings.
- LONG LASTING SUPPLY; Large-sized envelopes and 500 envelopes in every pack for a long-lasting supply, perfect for everyday business correspondence and large mailing tasks!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
