August 4, 2026 Primary Important Dates

Absentee voter ballots available for voters June 25

Last day to register to vote by mail or online July 20

New voter registrations are required in person for August election July 21 – Aug. 4

Early voting period July 25 – Aug. 2

November 3, 2026 General Election Important Dates

Absentee ballots available for voters September 24

Last day to register to vote by mail or online October 19

New voter registrations are required in person for the November election October 20 – November 3

Early Voting period October 24 – November 1

Request an absentee ballot

Use the Oakland Township interactive precinct map lookup to find your polling location

In November 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites before statewide and federal elections. Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day. During the early voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can then insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.

Where Can I Vote Early?

Early Voting will be conducted in the Rochester Hills Public Library located at: 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester, MI 48307

When Can I Vote Early?

The early voting period in Oakland Township will begin on the second Saturday prior to an election and last nine (9) days until the Sunday prior to an election. The early voting center will be open from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM during the early voting period, with the exception of Thursday, from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

How do I request an Absentee Ballot?

• Registered voters can request an absentee ballot online.
• Call or email the clerk’s office and ask for an application to be mailed to you.
• Download an application to return by mail, email, or in person to your local city or township clerk.
• Request an Absentee Ballot in person at the clerk’s office.
• Sign up for the Permanent Ballot List and automatically receive a ballot for every election.

Voters with print disabilities who would like an accessible electronic absent voter ballot can request an absentee ballot online. Print disabilities are disabilities that interfere with the effective reading, writing, or use of printed material. This definition includes persons who are blind or visually impaired, those with learning disabilities, as well those with a physical disability that interferes with holding and manipulating paper or a pen or pencil.

When is the Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot?

Online & mail requests – No later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the election. Please note this is the deadline for the Clerk’s Office to receive your request. If you plan to mail in your request, please allow 5-7 days for postal delivery. In-Person – No later than 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the election. If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at your clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on Election Day, you must vote the ballot in the clerk’s office.

When do I Need to Return my Absentee Ballot?

Your completed absentee ballot MUST be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file. If you received assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. You can return by mail, or hand-delivering the ballot to the clerk’s office, or our any of our drop box locations.

How do I Return my Ballot?

• Drive-up ballot drop box located in front of Townhall 4393 Collins Road.
• Drive-up ballot drop box located in front of Fire Station #2 1888 N. Rochester Road.
• Bring your ballot to any of the 9 days of Early Voting.
• Bring the ballot to your assigned Precinct on Election Day.
• Return by mail (postage is pre-paid). Please allow 5-7 days for postal delivery.

How Does the USPS Change to Postmarks Affect My Absentee Ballot?

It doesn’t! The USPS change to postmarks has no impact on Michigan Absentee ballots because Michigan Law requires that ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on election day in order to be counted. The only exception to this is for Military and Overseas Voters who must have their ballot postmarked on or before election day and received within 6 days after the election.

Permanent Application List vs Permanent Ballot List

Voters on the Permanent Application List will automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot prior to any elections that year. For even year, regular election cycles, voters on this list will receive one application for all regular elections being held that year. For special elections, voters on this list will receive an application for each election as they occur.

Voters on the Permanent Ballot List will NOT receive an application for an absentee ballot. They will instead automatically receive a ballot for every election, without needing to fill out any paperwork. Voters on this list who will need their ballot sent to an address that is not their mailing address will need to contact the Clerk’s office to let them know of this change as soon as possible.

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to check your registration status, apply for and track your absentee ballot, find your polling location, and more!

• Online at Michigan.gov/VoterRegistration
• At a Secretary of State branch office
• At your city or township clerk’s office or your county clerk’s office
• At any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities
• Through a voter registration drive
• By mailing in a completed voter registration application postmarked at least 15 days before the election

Within 14 days of an election, all registration applications must be submitted to the clerk’s office in person.

You will be asked to show ID when you check in to vote. If you don’t have one, you can still vote, but you will be required to sign an affidavit before you vote that explains you didn’t have an ID. Your ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Special services are provided to assist military and overseas civilian voters participate in elections. If you are a military or overseas civilian voter who is eligible to vote in Michigan, you can find out how to:

1. Register to vote: Go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, download and complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA can also be used to obtain an absent voter ballot by e-mail, fax or regular mail.
2. Obtain an absent voter ballot by e-mail, fax or regular mail: Each year go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program, download a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), complete and submit by postal mail, fax, or scan and email to your local clerk based on your home residence. Check the appropriate box for e-mail, fax or mail. The FPCA can also be used to register to vote.
3. Check the status of a requested absent voter ballot: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center and type in the requested information. Your absent voter ballot status will display along with other information.
4. Check registration status in Michigan: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center and follow instructions.
5. Learn more about candidates and proposals on the ballot: Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center and type in the requested information. Click on “View My Sample Ballot.

New this year, Active Duty Service Members who receive their ballot electronically may not be eligible to return their ballot electronically. Contact the clerk’s office to see if you are eligible.

Get paid!

Serve your Community!

Play an important role in maintaining our democracy!

We would love to have you join our all-star team of poll workers on August 4th and November 3rd of this year. To apply, you must:

1. 1. Be at least 16 years of age
   2. Be a registered voter in Michigan if 18+ years of age. Individuals aged 16–17 must be Michigan residents.
   3. Not have a felony or election crime conviction.
   4. Not be an election challenger, a candidate, a member of a candidate’s immediate family, or a member of the local board of canvassers.

Full and half-day shifts are available, starting at $230 for a full day and $115 for a half-day. High school and college students interested in working can opt to receive community service or volunteer hours instead of pay, upon request.

Apply online using the Oakland Township Poll Worker Application or in person at the Clerk’s Office, 4393 Collins Road, Rochester, MI 48306.

Coming soon!

Election Results