This year, more than 7 million Michigan residents are registered to vote, and midterm election turnout is expected to be the highest in years.
But what should you expect on Election Day?
Listen above to hear Stateside's conversation with Michigan ACLU voting rights expert Sharon Dolente about what your rights are at the polls tomorrow.
Here is a guide of Dos and Don’ts to help you out:
DO: Know your polling place
When you registered to vote, you were assigned a polling place based on your address. More populous regions have multiple polling places within a short distance in order to try to let everyone vote in a timely manner.
To find your polling place, simply check your voter registration on the Michigan Secretary of State website. Here, you’ll find a map that clearly labels where you should show up on Election Day.
If you can't pull up your information this way, contact your local county clerk. Find the number here.
DON’T: Wear campaign gear
Keep those campaign shirts and pins at home.
Michigan has a ban on any display of election-related materials within 100 feet of a polling place. This includes shirts, hats, and buttons. If you go to a polling place wearing any of these, you will be asked to remove or cover it.
DO: Bring photo ID (but you can still vote without one)
It is important to note that while Michigan does have a voter identification requirement, it is not as strict as some other states' voter ID laws. You can still vote without a photo ID. You just need to sign an affidavit saying you are who you say you are.
Read more on that here.
But having a photo ID will make things go more smoothly. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a driver’s license or passport, student or military ID with a photo, tribal ID cards, or any state or federally-issued photo ID.
Read more from the Secretary of State's office here.
DO: Know who you’re voting for
Michiganders are voting for more than just governor on November 6. Senate and congressional candidates will also be on the ballot, as well as some major state proposals.
And this year, there will be no straight ticket option, which allows you to vote for each candidate in the party of your choice. Instead, if you want to vote for all one party, you'll have to vote for each individual candidate.
Plus, there are nonpartisan choices, such as judges and ballot proposals.
You can see a sample ballot by checking your voter registration. Print it out and consult with your most trusted election advisors -- maybe your mom, your neighbor, or your barber.
To do some research yourself, the League of Women Voters has put together a non-partisan election guide. Go to Vote411.org and enter your information to find out more about the issues and candidates on your ballot.
(Of course, you can also check out Michigan Radio’s election coverage.)
DON'T: Leave when the polls close
If you're still in line when the polls close at 8 p.m., you still have the right to vote.
Each polling place will have poll watchers that are in charge of making sure that everything is running smoothly and that nobody is scaring away voters or telling those still waiting in line to leave. It is illegal for anyone to challenge your right to vote by intimidating or threatening you on Election Day.
If you do see illegal or fraudulent behavior at the polls, you should notify an official at the polling place as well as the Michigan Bureau of Elections.
Learn more about your voting rights here.
DON’T: Take a “ballot selfie”
So you successfully got to your polling place and you were able to fill out your ballot. Now you want to tell everyone that you participated in the democratic process!
And while voting is definitely something to be proud of, don’t celebrate by taking a “ballot selfie,” since they are currently illegal in the state of Michigan.
A federal appeals court ruled that the state has the ability to enforce the "ballot selfie" ban.
Instead of getting a picture inside the voting booth, plan on taking a selfie outside of your polling place.
You’ll have to show off that “I Voted” sticker somehow!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
