Absentee Voting

AV envelope

Official Michigan absentee ballot will be mailed out in a 6" x 9" envelope that has a wide blue stripe on the left.


4 Ways to Vote by Absentee Ballot: 

  • Pick up a ballot from the City Clerk's office, starting approximately 6 weeks before each election. Remember to take your photo identification (ID).
  • Submit a written paper Absent Voter Ballot Application by mail, including name, address, and original signature. 
  • Apply for a ballot online at www.Michigan.gov/vote.
  • Join the Permanent Ballot List. On the application form, check the box to automatically be mailed a ballot for every election. Ballots will be mailed approximately 6 weeks before each election.

Are you on our Permanent Ballot List but are, or plan to be out of town?

The Clerk's Office makes preparations to send ballots more than 45 days in advance. We update lists and mail ballots out SIX WEEKS prior to an election – which is the end of March for the May election. Did you know that election mail cannot be forwarded? If you plan to be out of town for the months or weeks prior to an election, please fill out our SUPPLEMENTAL ADDRESS FORM so that we may send your ballot to the correct address for any given election. This will save taxpayers money in postage, saves us time attempting to contact you, and you get your ballot in a timely manner! 

Returning AV Ballots

All ballots must be returned to the Clerk's office by election day at 8 p.m. to be counted.

  • Return by US Mail using the pre-adAV ballot return envelopedressed inside envelope provided. Postage is already paid! 
  • Return to a City of Holland Elections Drop Box located in the City Hall parking lot, in the lobby of City Hall, or at the Holland BPW Service Center, 625 Hastings Ave.

Drop box picture City Hall 2024

inside 1HBPW 2 box






Update (Mar. 2025): Permanent Absentee Voter Application List

The Permanent Absent Voter Application List for the City of Holland has been discontinued due to changes in State election procedures.

If you would like to vote by absentee ballot in future elections, you may submit an AV application in the following ways:

  • Check the box to join the Permanent Mail Ballot List when completing an AV ballot application to automatically receive an AV Ballot for all future elections without submitting another application.
  • Submit an Online AV ballot application at www.Michigan.gov/vote
  • For each election, request the clerk mail you an AV ballot application or download an AV ballot application from Michigan.gov/Elections, and return it by mail, email, or in-person.

Picking Up an Absentee Ballot in Person - Requirements

The State of Michigan requires a voter who is receiving his or her own ballot in person at the Clerk's Office to present a valid photo ID or sign an affidavit. Valid forms of ID are the same as required at the polls on Election Day and include:

  • Driver's license or State identification card
  • Federal or state government-issued photo identification
  • US passport
  • Military identification card with photo
  • Student identification card from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning with photo
  • State or County issued identification card
  • Tribal identification card with photo

If a voter does not have a valid photo ID, the voter will be asked to sign an affidavit stating that he or she is not in possession of a valid ID. If the affidavit is signed, the voter will be issued a ballot.

State law does not allow one person to pick up a ballot for another person. If an individual returns an application for an absentee ballot on behalf of another, that ballot will be mailed to the voter.