The Permanent AV List (the checkbox) means we will automatically mail you an application before every election. In Michigan, there is no way to automatically receive a ballot without doing anything; you must fill out an application every time you want an AV ballot. Being on the Permanent AV List means we’ll always mail you the red-white-and-blue application; you can decide each time whether you want to use it or not.

You can register in person at your county or city clerk's office.  You can also register to vote at any Secretary of State branch office.

You can mail the application to the Ferndale City Clerk, 300 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220, or to the county clerk's address, which is provided on the application. Applications mailed to the county clerk are forwarded to the Ferndale City Clerk and will take longer to process.

Absentee voter applications will be accepted by mail or in-person beginning 75 days prior to each election.

Absentee voter applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by 2:00 p.m. on the Friday before the election for a ballot to be mailed. Absentee voters may also apply in person for an AV ballot until 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before the election; however, the ballot must be voted at City Hall. 

No, you can have the ballot mailed to you, or you may complete our online application form, and return it to the City Clerk by mail or use our convenient drop box outside City Hall. Any US citizen qualified to vote absentee can pick up their ballot at City Hall until 4:00 p.m. the Monday before the election. Any ballots obtained in person the Monday before the election must be voted in the City Clerk's Office. New regulations mandate that voters applying in person for an absentee ballot must provide photo identification to be issued a ballot. Voters who do not provide ID must complete an Affidavit of Voter not in Possession of Picture Identification.

All absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on election night. 

We are aware of a recent court ruling that extends the deadline for mailed ballots that are postmarked before Election Day but arrive within 14 days after Election Day. We remain in contact with state officials regarding this developing situation and will update this space if any changes are confirmed.

Go to the Michigan Voter Information Center and input your information to check your ballot's status.

Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center and follow the instructions to get this information.

The City of Ferndale has nine polling locations, each open between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on all election days. Check our Polling Locations page to find out which precinct you are located in.

Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website to complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). This can also be used to have your ballot emailed or faxed to you. 

No, you don’t! You have two options: (1) If you are living away from Ferndale while attending college, you can register to vote in the city or township where you live, and vote there—even if you only live there for part of the year. (2) If you are registered at a permanent address in Ferndale, you can request an absentee ballot and we can mail your ballot to wherever you are—no matter where that is or why you’re there!

Start by visiting the City Clerk's Office to receive your nominating packet, which includes:

• Nominating petitions
• Calendar of important dates
• Other useful information.

The City Clerk's Office is located at Ferndale City Hall, 300 E. Nine Mile rd. Open hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

The state has stringent requirements for petitions. Three important points:

• The state has official petition blanks that you must use. They are available at City Hall—you cannot print them at home. Circulators should not sign until after a sheet is filled. Signatures dated later than the circulators cannot be counted.
• You can only sign petitions equal to the number of seats open. Where any name appears on more petitions than there are candidates to be elected to a specific office, that name cannot be counted for any petition for that office.
• The state-mandated deadline to submit nominating petitions is 105 days before the election, by 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. No petitions will be accepted after this date and time.

What happens to the petitions once they’re submitted

• The City Clerk has 5 days to determine the sufficiency of the signatures. Candidates will be notified in writing immediately if they do not have at least 100 valid signatures. As long as the 105-day at 4:00 p.m. filing deadline has not passed, candidates may submit more signatures to make up for the deficiency.
• There are many statutory reasons a signature may not be valid. It is highly recommended to exceed the 100-signature minimum, keeping in mind no more than 150 can be accepted.

Please contact the Michigan Secretary of State.