Military and Overseas Voters

Are you in the military or are you an overseas civilian voter who is eligible to register and/or vote in Michigan? If so, the City Clerk's Office encourages you to take part in the next election! Changes in state and federal law allow for military and overseas civilian voters to receive a ballot by e-mail or fax to speed up the voting process! (The voted ballot must be returned by mail for security purposes.)

Military and overseas civilian voters interested in obtaining ballots for the elections that will be held this year must request a ballot through their local city or township clerk. Requests for absentee ballots submitted prior to this calendar year are no longer valid and cannot be processed for this year's elections.

Additional information including contact information for Michigan’s city and township clerks can be obtained through the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC) Web site maintained by the Michigan Department of State. If you're registered within the City of Traverse City, all requests for absentee ballots can be mailed to City Clerk, 400 Boardman Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49684 or emailed to traversecity-ci@miqvf.org. The ballot itself however, should not be emailed.  

www.Michigan.gov/vote

  1. How to register to vote and obtain an absent voter ballot by e-mail, fax, or regular mail: Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site (www.fvap.gov), download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Check the appropriate box for obtaining a ballot, i.e. by e-mail, fax or regular mail. Submit the application to your local clerk for processing. 
  2. How to check the status of a requested absent voter ballot: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and type in the requested information. Your absent voter ballot status will display along with other information.
  3. How to check registration status in Michigan: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and follow instructions.
  4. How to learn more about candidates and proposals on the ballot: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site and type in the requested information. Click on “View My Sample Ballot.”
  5. How to contact your city or township clerk in Michigan: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site. Click on “Find Your Clerk.”
  6. How to obtain assistance or ask a question: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) Web site. Click on “Contact SOS.”
  7. How to take advantage of discounted mailing costs for overseas voters:  Go to the Overseas Vote Foundation Web site (https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org). Click on “Express Your Vote” and follow instructions.

Important note: Only those voters covered under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) are eligible to use the Federal Post Card Application Form (FPCA) and receive an absentee ballot by e-mail or fax. Covered voters include:

  • A member of a uniformed service on active duty who is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
  • A member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of service in the Merchant Marine, is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
  • A spouse or dependent of a member of a uniformed service or a member of the Merchant Marine who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from his or her city or township of residence. (Voter can be inside or outside the United States.)
  • A civilian voter who is outside the United States and is eligible to vote in Michigan.