All registered voters are eligible to vote via an absentee ballot. If you are a resident of the City of Kalamazoo, please complete this form to have an absentee ballot request form mailed to you or call the Elections Office at (269) 337-8793. A request form must be returned before a ballot can be mailed. If your request is within a two weeks of an election, please fax or e-mail this Absent Voter Ballot Application request to expedite the process. If you have any questions, please call or send an email to elections@kalamazoocity.org. Ballots may also be picked up by the voter in person at the City Clerk's office in Room 104 of City Hall at 241 W South Street. Ballots cannot be given to anyone other than the voter. Voters will be asked to present a valid photo ID when obtaining an absentee ballot in person at the Clerk's office. Voters who do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or did not bring it with them can still vote. They will be required to sign a brief affidavit stating that they are not in possession of photo ID.
Voted absentee ballots MUST be returned to the City Clerk's Office at City Hall. Voted absentee ballots cannot be returned to a polling location.
If you are not a City of Kalamazoo resident, please contact your local clerk for an absentee ballot. Remember a Kalamazoo address does not always indicate a City of Kalamazoo residence. Your voter identification card will list the jurisdiction of residence and contact information. If your jurisdiction is within Kalamazoo County, use the Kalamazoo County Officials Directory for contact information.
Important Deadlines
An absentee ballot may be requested as early as 75 days prior to an election. They may be requested by mail until 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to an election or in the office until 4 p.m. on the Monday prior to an election. Absentee ballot requested on the Monday prior to the election must be voted in the office and returned.
Voters are encouraged to request absentee ballots as early as possible to ensure there is enough time to complete the voting process.
All ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
Accessibility and Absentee Ballots
The Michigan Department of State provides information on accessible voting here.
You can request an accessible absentee ballot online here.
Permanent Absentee Ballot List
The City Clerk's office maintains a permanent absent voter application list. Voters on this list will automatically receive an application for every election. If you'd like to be placed on this list, fill out this form or call the Elections Office at (269) 337-8793. If you have any questions, please give us a call or send an email to elections@kalamazoocity.org.
More information about the Permanent Absentee Ballot Request List is available here.
Military and Overseas Citizens
- The State of Michigan allows military and overseas citizens to vote using their last known registered address. Members of the military may contact their commanding officer and receive a Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Application (FPCA). If you are a citizen overseas assistance is available from the Federal Voting Assistance Program or by emailing the Elections Office at elections@kalamazoocity.org.