Be on the Lookout: Duplicate Absentee Ballots
Two absentee ballot envelopes mailed to one voter. Identifying information redacted by MFEI
By Patrice Johnson, MFEI Chair | October 29, 2026
Dear MFEI supporter,
MFEI has received a report from a volunteer. A voter was mailed two absentee ballots for the November 3 election. We’re looking into how this happened and whether the state’s voter file safeguards caught it. More information to come.
If you or someone you know received more than one absentee ballot:
Don’t vote either one yet. Contact the local clerk first, in writing if possible, and ask which ballot is the active one and what to do with the other.
Before returning anything to the clerk, take photos. Photograph both sides of each unmarked return envelope and the outer mailing envelopes, including postmarks.
Vote only one ballot, the one your clerk confirms, and follow the clerk’s instructions for the other. If you can’t get an answer in time, visit your clerk’s office in person.
Check your record at mi.gov/vote to confirm that only one ballot shows as issued.
Let us know through the contact form at mifairelections.org with the subject line “Duplicate ballot.”
Please include these helpful details:
photos of both sides of the unmarked envelopes
the county and township
whether you are on the permanent mail ballot list
whether you also submitted a one-time application
what your clerk told you if you contacted them
If someone says they received duplicate mail-in (absentee) ballots
Encourage them to contact their clerk and to send you the five details above. Either you or they can report the incident to us directly. You can go with them to the clerk’s office, but please don’t take, hold, carry, or drop off their ballots for them.
A few important points
Vote only one ballot.
Never handle or hold a ballot belonging to anyone outside your immediate family or household. Doing so is a felony under Michigan law.
Don’t photograph a ballot after it has been marked.
Please don’t post photos of ballot envelopes on social media. They show your name and address.
MFEI will not publish anyone’s name or address without written permission.
Thank you for helping us keep Michigan’s elections accurate and transparent.
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