The General Election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voters will choose their candidate for Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, US Senate, US House, and other positions. Voters will also make decisions on various proposals.

IMPORTANT DATES: FALL 2026

Monday, September 28: If you applied for a mail ballot and have not received it by this date, contact the City Clerk's Office.

Tuesday, October 20 (Through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day): Beginning October 20, the only way to register to vote is in person at the City Clerk’s Office with proof of residency.

Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1: In-person Early Voting is available for voters from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on all days except Thursday, October 29, which is available from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. In-person Early Voting for all elections will take place at the Hazel Park Community Center, at 620 West Woodward Heights Boulevard in Hazel Park, MI 48030, and the Waterford Oaks Activity Center, at 2800 Watkins Lake Road in Waterford, MI 48328.

Friday, October 30, by 5:00 p.m.: This is the deadline to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you.

Saturday, October 31: City Hall is open on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for voting purposes only. Monday, November 2, by 4:00 p.m. This is the deadline to request an absentee ballot in person if you are already registered to vote.

Tuesday, November 3: Election Day The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Find your polling location at bit.ly/46wc4Pe. Absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m.

VOTE BY ABSENTEE: 

Avoid lines and vote by mail! All registered voters can vote by mail/absentee ballot. Request a mail ballot online at mi.gov/vote, scan the QR code, or visit the City Clerk’s Office. Return your ballots as early as possible to allow time for signature verification corrections. Use the ballot dropboxes, drop them off at the City Clerk’s Office, or return them for free by mail (no postage required). The ballot dropboxes are outside City Hall, at the top of the second-floor stairs in City Hall, and at the entry/exit of The dot parking garage.

PRECINCT NAME CHANGE: 

If you are a registered voter in Precinct 1 in the northwest area of Ferndale, please note that the polling location has a new name. This is just a name change, so no action is needed.

• Previous Name: Renaissance Vineyard Church
• New Name: MCC Detroit

The Election Day voting location remains the same. Voters should follow the usual steps for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 

TWO-SHEET BALLOT: 

Voters in Precincts 1-5 will vote on a two-sheet ballot, while Precinct 6 will vote on a one-sheet ballot.

• Precincts 1-5 will vote on local Ferndale Public Schools ballot initiatives.
• Precinct 6 falls under the Hazel Park School District and does not have a ballot initiative for this election.

Please return both ballot sheets, whether voting in person or by absentee ballot.

FERNDALE BALLOT INITIATIVES: 

City Proposal: Charter Amendment 1

What is on the ballot?

• “Shall the City of Ferndale, Charter, Chapter IV, Registration, Nomination and Election, Section 5, Resignation of Commissioner [Council member], be deleted and repealed?”

What is the current process?

• Currently, Councilmembers must resign to run for Mayor unless their term ends in the same election year. City Council then fills the remainder of the term with an appointed member.

What happens if this is passed by voters?

• If approved, City Councilmembers running for Mayor would not need to resign their Council positions.

City Proposal: Charter Amendment 2

What is on the ballot?

• “Shall the City of Ferndale, Charter, Chapter III, Vacancies in Elective Offices, be amended to so provide?””

What is the current process?

• Currently, if a Councilmember resigns, the City Council temporarily appoints someone to the position. That person serves the remainder of the term or until the next odd-year general election, whichever is sooner.

What happens if this is passed by voters?

• If approved, voters would have an opportunity to replace the Council vacancy sooner during an eligible even or odd-year regular election. The deadlines would also be extended to align with State statute.
   

To learn how to vote, view the entire ballot, verify your polling location, and more, visit mi.gov/vote. For questions about voting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 248-546-2525 (Option 8), or email elections@ferndalemi.gov.