MDOS announces changes to automatic voter registration process to comply with Michigan election law

LANSING, Mich. - Starting June 1, eligible Michigan residents who complete a qualifying transaction at a Secretary of State branch office and are automatically registered or preregistered to vote will receive a letter in the mail from the Michigan Department of State (MDOS) with instructions on how to opt out if they desire to do so.

Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2018 requiring MDOS to automatically register eligible people to vote when they apply for or renew their driver's license or state ID. MDOS implemented the automatic voter registration (AVR) process in 2019. Eligible residents between the age of 16 and 17.5 are automatically preregistered to vote. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for AVR or preregistration. In 2023, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Public Acts 260, 261, 262 and 268, establishing the new process for Michiganders to opt out of AVR or preregistration by mail.

When eligible Michigan residents complete a qualifying transaction at a branch office, they will continue to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote at the time of the transaction. To comply with the updated Michigan election law, MDOS will then mail every newly registered voter a notice confirming their registration, an envelope with prepaid postage, and a pre addressed form the registered voter can return if they wish to opt out. MDOS will remove their registration from the Qualified Voter File (QVF) upon receiving the form and notify the resident's local clerk.

The Bureau of Elections posts information about automatic registration and preregistration online each month.

Voters who wish to cancel their registration may still do so by sending a written request to their city or township clerk at any time. Visit the MDOS website for more information on voter roll maintenance and voter registration cancellation.

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