Who can register to vote in Michigan?

You must be a U.S. citizen, a Michigan resident, a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day, at least 17.5 years old to register, 18 by Election Day to vote, and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison. Michigan residents ages 16 to 17.5 can preregister.

How do I register to vote in Michigan?

If there are 15 or more days before an election you can register online, by mail, or in person. Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day you must register in person at your local clerk's office and bring proof of residency. Check your status at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Do I need a photo ID to vote in Michigan?

Bring photo ID if you have it. If you do not have photo ID with you, you can still vote by signing an affidavit and receiving a regular ballot. Accepted IDs include a Michigan driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, school ID, military ID, tribal ID, or other government-issued photo ID.

When is the 2026 Michigan general election?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early in-person voting runs October 24 through November 1, 2026, and the last day to register online or by mail is October 19, 2026.

I don't live in the city of Pontiac — can I still vote for Pontiac school board?

Possibly, yes. The School District of the City of Pontiac covers all of Pontiac, Sylvan Lake, and Lake Angelus, most of Auburn Hills, and smaller portions of Waterford, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township, and Orion Township. If your address is inside the district, the Pontiac school board race appears on your ballot. Check your voter record at mvic.sos.state.mi.us or call your city or township clerk to confirm your school district.

Can I vote before I turn 18?

You can register at 17.5 years old, and Michigan lets 16-year-olds preregister so registration is automatic. To cast a ballot you must be 18 by Election Day — if your 18th birthday is on or before November 3, 2026, you can vote in that election.

Does my student ID count as voter ID in Michigan?

Yes. A high school or college photo ID is accepted at Michigan polls, along with a Michigan driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, tribal ID, or another government-issued photo ID.

What if I forget my ID or don't have one?

You can still vote. Sign a short affidavit at the polls stating you are not in possession of photo ID and you will receive a regular ballot that is counted with everyone else's — no provisional ballot, no follow-up trip.

I live on campus — should I register at home or at school?

Pick one: you can register at your parents' address or at your school address, but not both. If you register at home and live away at school, request an absentee ballot early so it reaches you in time.

What do I need to register for the first time?

Online or by mail you need your Michigan driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Registering in person within 14 days of the election requires proof of residency such as a lease, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government mail with your name and address.

What actually happens the first time I vote?

You give your name, show ID or sign the affidavit, get your ballot, fill it out in a booth, and feed it into the tabulator. It usually takes under 15 minutes, and poll workers are there to answer questions — asking for help is allowed and normal.

Do I have to vote for every race on the ballot?

No. You can vote in only the races you care about, including just the Pontiac school board, and leave the rest blank. Your ballot still counts.

Can I get time off work or school to vote?

Michigan does not require paid time off, so plan ahead: use the October 24 – November 1 early voting window or vote absentee by mail so a shift or class never costs you your vote.

Will voting cost me anything or put me on a list?

Voting is free, and there is never a fee to register. Your name, address, and the fact that you voted are public record in Michigan, but your ballot choices are always secret.

Voter Education

First-Time Voter Guide

A quick, plain-language guide for young voters, first-time voters, and families in Pontiac. Helping our community get ready to vote.

Voting for the first time is easier than you think

You do not need to be an expert to vote. You need four things: to be registered, to know your dates, to know what to bring, and to show up. This page walks you through all four — and every fact here comes from the Michigan Secretary of State.

Register or check your status Download print-ready PDF (English)Descargar guía en español (PDF)Print-friendly web version Download 1-page voter calendar Add deadlines to phone calendar (.ics)Download infographic (PNG)Descargar infografía (PNG)Join youth outreach

Print it, post it in a classroom, or share it with a student who turns 18 before Nov 3, 2026.

En español: la guía completa y la infografía están disponibles en español — descárguelas arriba o imprímalas para compartirlas con su familia.

Maicol Rivera for Pontiac School Board First-Time Voter Guide infographic covering who can register, how to register, voter ID rules, and important 2026 election dates.

Countdown to your next deadline

All 2026 general election deadlines have passed.

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Register online or by mail — October 19, 2026
Early in-person voting opens — October 24, 2026
Early in-person voting ends — November 1, 2026
Election Day — polls close — November 3, 2026

Export deadlines to my phone calendar (.ics)

Works with iPhone, Android, Google Calendar, and Outlook. Each date includes reminder alerts one week and one day before, so your phone notifies you automatically.

Find your local clerk

Your city or township clerk handles registration, absentee ballots, and early voting.

ZIP codes can cross city and township lines. Always confirm your jurisdiction with the Michigan clerk lookup or the Oakland County Elections office.

Am I eligible? Check in 30 seconds

Six quick questions, then a personalized next-step plan. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 6

When is your birthday?

In Michigan you can pre-register at 16 and vote in any election held on or after your 18th birthday.

Date of birth

This checklist is a guide, not a legal determination. Always confirm your registration and rules with the Michigan Secretary of State at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Register to vote in Michigan — step by step

Answer three quick questions and we'll lay out your exact registration steps and hand you off to Michigan's official portal. Registration always happens on the state's site — nothing you pick here is saved or sent anywhere.

1. Where do you stand today?

I have never registered to vote

First-time registration in Michigan.

I'm registered but I moved or changed my name

You use the same form to update your address or name.

I'm not sure whether I'm registered

We'll start you with a free record check.

2. Do you have a Michigan driver's license or state ID?

Yes — a Michigan driver's license or state ID

This unlocks the fastest option: registering online in a few minutes.

No — I don't have one yet

You can still register by mail or in person with other documents.

3. How would you like to register?

Online (fastest)

Requires a Michigan driver's license or state ID.

By mail

Print the state form and mail it to your clerk.

In person at my clerk's office

The only option in the final 14 days before an election.

Pick one answer in each section to continue.

This guide is provided as a public service and is not affiliated with the Michigan Secretary of State. Official registration, deadlines, and requirements are set by the State of Michigan and your local clerk.

District lines

Am I in the Pontiac school district?

Pontiac school board elections cover more than the city of Pontiac. Here's every community with residents inside the district — and how to confirm your own address.

Check your street address

We compare your address against the official U.S. Census school district boundary file for the School District of the City of Pontiac.

Important: This website’s district-boundary lookup is an informational resource and is not an official determination of voter eligibility. Municipal boundaries, mailing addresses, ZIP codes, precinct boundaries, and school-district boundaries may differ. Always verify your official voter registration, voting districts, polling place, and ballot through the State of Michigan.

We do not store or track the address you enter — it is used once for this lookup and never saved.

Printable district eligibility map

One page, letter size: the School District of the City of Pontiac drawn over neighboring Oakland County cities and townships, with the communities inside the district and how to confirm your own address. Boundaries come from official U.S. Census TIGERweb records. Great for clipboards, tabling, and door knocking.

Next step from the map: once you know the map covers your address, open the clickable list of Pontiac's 21 voting precincts to get that precinct's polling location — or your own clerk's precinct if you live outside the city.

Download map (PDF)Precinct list & polling places

Printable eligibility checklist

A one-page checklist you can print and check off: basic voter eligibility, whether your community is inside the district, and the exact steps to confirm it with your official Michigan voter record and sample ballot. Includes blanks for your school district and precinct, clerk phone numbers, and every 2026 deadline.

Download checklist (PDF)

Who votes in Pontiac school board elections?

School district lines don't match city lines. If your home is inside the School District of the City of Pontiac, the Pontiac school board race appears on your ballot — even if your mailing address says Waterford, West Bloomfield, Auburn Hills, or Bloomfield Township. Oakland County records show the district reaching into all of these communities.

City of Pontiac
Entire community
The entire city is in the district.
City of Pontiac Clerk
(248) 758-3200
47450 Woodward Ave., 1st Floor, Pontiac, MI 48342
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Official clerk page
City of Auburn Hills
Most of the community
Most of Auburn Hills is in the Pontiac district; some areas fall in Avondale, Rochester, or Lake Orion schools.
Auburn Hills City Clerk
(248) 370-9402
1827 N. Squirrel Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Official clerk page
City of Sylvan Lake
Entire community
The whole city votes in Pontiac school board elections.
Sylvan Lake City Clerk
clerk@sylvanlake.org
1820 Inverness St., Sylvan Lake, MI 48320
Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Small city hall — the clerk keeps general city office hours and there is no separate direct clerk phone line published. Email or call city hall.
Official clerk page
City of Lake Angelus
Entire community
The whole city is in the Pontiac district.
Lake Angelus City Clerk
(248) 332-3916
clerk@lakeangelus.org
45 Gallogly Rd., Lake Angelus, MI 48326
Wednesdays, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (drop-in) or by appointment
Very limited hours — call or email ahead before driving over.
Official clerk page
Waterford Township
Part of the community
Neighborhoods on the Waterford side of the district line — generally closest to Pontiac — vote in Pontiac school elections. Most of Waterford is in Waterford schools.
Waterford Township Clerk
(248) 674-6266
5200 Civic Center Dr., Waterford, MI 48329
Labor Day – Memorial Day: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Summer: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Official clerk page
West Bloomfield Township
Part of the community
A small portion nearest Pontiac and Sylvan Lake is in the Pontiac district. The rest is West Bloomfield or Birmingham schools.
West Bloomfield Township Clerk
(248) 451-4800
4550 Walnut Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Official clerk page
Bloomfield Township
Part of the community
A small northern portion near Square Lake and Woodward is in the Pontiac district.
Bloomfield Township Clerk
(248) 433-7702
4200 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Township, MI 48303
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM (closed Fridays)
Official clerk page
Orion Township
Part of the community
A small southwestern portion near the Auburn Hills line is in the Pontiac district.
Orion Township Clerk
(248) 391-0304, ext. 4001
2323 Joslyn Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48360
The clerk's office does not post its own hours; township hall windows are generally open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm.
Official clerk page

How to confirm your own address in 2 minutes

1. Open the Michigan Voter Information Center and enter your name, birth month/year, and ZIP code.
2. Look at your voter record — it lists your school district along with your precinct and jurisdiction.
3. View your sample ballot before the election. If the Pontiac school board race is on it, you can vote in it.
4. Still unsure? Call your city or township clerk (listed above) or the Oakland County Elections Division — they can confirm your school district from the county's own records.

Check my voter record & district Oakland County Elections Look up any Michigan clerk Pontiac school district site

Tricky cases: split streets, PO boxes, and boundary changes

The situations that trip people up most often, answered plainly.

One important note: boundaries split individual streets and even subdivisions, so a neighbor can be in a different school district than you. Your official voter record and sample ballot are always the final word — this page is a guide, not a legal boundary determination.

In the district? Now find where you actually vote.

Pick your precinct from the clickable Pontiac precinct list to get its polling place — plus the city council, township board, and county races sharing your ballot.

Precincts & polling places

If the Pontiac school board race is on your ballot, you also help decide district millages and bond questions — the same ballot, the same deadlines listed above.

Four steps

From not registered to ballot cast

Work through these in order. Most people finish step 1 and 2 in under ten minutes online.

1. Who can register?

U.S. citizen
Michigan resident
Resident of your city or township for at least 30 days by Election Day
17.5 years old to register
18 years old by Election Day to vote
16- and 17-year-olds can preregister now
Must not be currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

2. How to register

15+ days before an election: register online, by mail, or in person
Within 14 days of an election and on Election Day: register in person at your local clerk’s office
Bring proof of residency if registering within 14 days of the election
Check your registration status any time at Michigan.gov/Vote

3. Do I need an ID to vote?

Bring photo ID if you have it
If you do not have photo ID, you can still vote
You may sign an affidavit and be issued a ballot
Accepted IDs include a driver’s license, state ID, passport, school ID, military ID, tribal ID, or other government-issued photo ID

4. Important 2026 dates

General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Early voting: October 24 – November 1, 2026
Last day to register online or by mail: October 19, 2026
After that, eligible voters can still register in person at their local clerk’s office through Election Day

Three ways to vote

Pick the option that fits your life

Michigan voters choose how they cast a ballot. All three count exactly the same.

Vote at home (absentee)

Any registered Michigan voter can request an absentee ballot — no excuse needed. You can also join the permanent mail-ballot list so a ballot comes to you every election.

Vote early in person

Michigan offers at least nine days of early in-person voting before Election Day, October 24 – November 1, 2026. Same machines, same ballot, shorter lines.

Vote on Election Day

Polls are open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If you are in line by 8:00 PM, you have the right to vote.

Students & young voters

College students may register at either their home address or their school address — but only one, and you vote where you are registered.
A school-issued student ID is an accepted form of photo ID at the polls.
If you moved into a dorm or apartment recently, update your registration so your ballot lists the right local races.
First-time voters who registered by mail may be asked to vote in person or show ID — bring one to be safe.

Know your rights at the polls

If you are in line when polls close at 8:00 PM, you may still vote.
You can ask a poll worker for help at any point — that is what they are there for.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a replacement.
You can bring notes or a marked sample ballot into the booth with you.
Voters with disabilities can use accessible voting equipment at every polling place.
No one may intimidate, threaten, or pressure you about how you vote.

Official resources

Trusted places to get answers

Election information changes. These official sources are always current.

Michigan Voter Information CenterRegister, check status, request an absentee ballot, find your polling place.Michigan first-time voter informationStep-by-step guidance from the Secretary of State for new voters.Early in-person votingDates, hours, and locations for voting before Election Day.Find your local clerkYour Pontiac or township clerk handles registration and ballots.

Straight answers

Youth voter FAQ

The questions students and first-time voters in Pontiac ask most — about student ID, registration basics, and what voting actually looks like.

Looking for answers about the school board race itself? Read the Pontiac school board election questions & answers.

Still stuck? Send us your question or verify anything at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Official Local Sources & Citations

Every date, rule, and boundary detail in this Pontiac voter guide comes from official state, county, city, and school district sources. Verify anything here directly with the offices below.

Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/Vote)
Official registration status, voting districts, polling place, and sample ballot for your address — including the Pontiac school board race when it appears on your ballot.
Michigan Secretary of State — Elections
Statewide election dates, voter ID rules, absentee and early voting rules for the 2026 Michigan elections.
Oakland County Clerk / Register of Deeds — Elections
County-level election administration, precinct and polling place information, and certified results for Pontiac-area school board contests.
School District of the City of Pontiac
The school district itself: board of education meetings, agendas, school locations, and district news.
City of Pontiac Clerk's Office
Local clerk for Pontiac residents: register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and confirm your precinct.
U.S. Census Bureau — TIGERweb school district boundaries
Source of the Pontiac City School District boundary geometry (GEOID 2628740) used by the address lookup on this site.

This page is published by the Committee to Elect Maicol Rivera Torres and is not an official government website. Official voter eligibility, district assignment, and ballot information come from the State of Michigan and your local clerk.

Deadline reminders

Never miss the registration cutoff or early voting window

Sign up and we'll email you the confirmed 2026 dates right away — the registration cutoff on October 19, early voting October 24 through November 1, and Election Day on November 3.

Want alerts on your phone?

Add the deadlines to your calendar. The file includes automatic alerts one week and one day before each date, so your phone reminds you even without internet.

Add deadlines to my calendar

Prefer text messages? Text alerts aren't available yet — the calendar reminders above deliver the same alerts to your phone at no cost.

Youth outreach

Get involved in first-time voter outreach

Nonpartisan voter education events across Pontiac — led by young people, open to students, parents, and mentors.

First-time voter workshops

Small-group sessions walking through registration, voter ID, and how to read a Pontiac ballot from top to bottom.

School & campus registration tables

Pre-register 16- and 17-year-olds and help 18-year-olds register before the October 19, 2026 deadline.

Peer-to-peer outreach teams

Youth leaders texting, calling, and door-knocking friends and classmates with accurate voting information.

Rides & reminders

Coordinate rides to early voting sites and deadline reminders so no first-time voter misses their chance.

Need help? Just ask.

If you are unsure whether you are registered, where to vote, or what to bring, reach out. We will help you find the answer — no matter who you plan to vote for.

Ask a question Pledge to vote

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 · Polls open 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM