RECLAIM YOUR VOTE · ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOV 3
Your vote.
Your neighborhood.
Your future.
Housing. Groceries. Wages. Healthcare. The people we elect make decisions about all of it, from the city commission to Congress. The Urban League of West Michigan is here to help you get registered, make a plan, understand your ballot and show up.
"My vote don't count"?
No president on the ballot this year. Your vote counts even more.
In this short music video, artist YelloPain takes on the idea that one vote doesn't matter and turns it into a quick civics lesson on who actually writes, signs and applies our laws. Worth four minutes before you vote.
Vote early, in person (Oct 24 – Nov 1). It works just like Election Day, on a day that fits around your job and your family. Early voting sites and hours vary by city, so check yours at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Vote absentee. Any Michigan voter can vote absentee, no reason needed. Request your ballot by Oct 30 online or by mail, or in person at your clerk through Nov 2. With Election Day this close, return it to your clerk's office or an official drop box rather than mailing it. Sign the envelope, and make sure it arrives by 8 p.m. Nov 3.
Vote on Election Day (Tue, Nov 3). Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you're in line by 8 p.m., you can vote. Find your polling place at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Your plan in three questions: How will I vote? When will I go? Who am I bringing with me?
Know your ballot
Your ballot is longer than you think
There's no single Kent County ballot. Your address decides your congressional district, your state House and Senate districts, your courts, your school district and your local proposals. Start by entering your address at Michigan.gov/Vote to see your own sample ballot.
What you'll find on it:
- Federal: U.S. Senate and U.S. House
- State: Governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state Senate and state House
- Courts: Michigan Supreme Court (vote for up to 2), Court of Appeals, and circuit, probate and district judges. Judges are listed without party labels.
- City and schools: Grand Rapids City Commission, city comptroller, library board, GRPS board (vote for up to 5), GRCC trustees, the State Board of Education and university boards
- Proposals: Two statewide proposals and two Kent County millages
Don't stop at the top. Flip your ballot over. The races further down often shape daily life the most.
What's at stake
Our communities keep telling us about the same four things. Every one of them is decided by people on this ballot.
ISSUE: Housing affordability > Who on your ballot has a say: City Commission (zoning), state lawmakers (housing law), Congress (housing funding)
ISSUE: Groceries and everyday costs > Who on your ballot has a say: Governor (state budget), state lawmakers (tax and utility laws), attorney general (consumer protection), Congress (federal taxes)
ISSUE: Income and opportunity > Who on your ballot has a say: State lawmakers and Congress (wages, job training, small business)
ISSUE: Access to healthcare > Who on your ballot has a say: Governor and state lawmakers (Medicaid, mental-health funding), Congress (ACA, Medicare)
Five questions to ask any candidate
- What problem is this candidate trying to solve?
- What specific solutions are they proposing?
- Who would benefit from those proposals?
- How will we know if their approach is working?
- Does their record match their promises?
Download the guide
Reclaim Your Vote 2026 Candidate & Issues Guide. Our free, nonpartisan guide covers every race on Grand Rapids and Kent County ballots: what each office controls, what candidates have said publicly, and plain-language explanations of every proposal.
Know your rights at the polls
Nothing should stop you from voting!
- No photo ID? You can still vote. You'll be asked for a photo ID. If you don't have one, sign an affidavit and cast a regular ballot.
- Not registered yet? Go to your city or township clerk's office with proof of residency (a driver's license or state ID, a utility bill, bank statement, lease or paycheck with your current address). You can register and vote on the same day, through Election Day.
- In line at 8 p.m.? Stay in line. Anyone in line when polls close has the right to vote.
- Still have your absentee ballot? Take it to your clerk's office or an official drop box by 8 p.m. Nov 3. Don't bring it to your polling place.
- Bring your notes. You can take your marked sample ballot or the Reclaim Your Vote guide into the booth.
Problem at the polls? Call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline:
866-OUR-VOTE
(866-687-8683).
About Reclaim Your Vote
It starts with us
Reclaim Your Vote is the Urban League of West Michigan's civic engagement initiative. We're not just telling people to vote. We're helping our community see how voting connects to the issues they care about most: housing, everyday costs, income and opportunity, and healthcare.
We started with ourselves. Every ULWM staff member was challenged to verify their registration, make a voting plan and commit to helping others do the same. Our team trained with Kathi Harris, founder of the PROACTIVE Project, on how elections work and how to protect voter access, and with Amari Fuller of the Michigan League for Public Policy on how to evaluate candidates and ask the right questions.
Now our staff serve as trusted civic ambassadors in the programs and neighborhoods we serve, because the most effective messengers are people having real conversations with their own communities.
FAQ
I missed the Oct 19 deadline. Can I still register? Yes. Register in person at your city or township clerk's office any day through Nov 3, including Election Day. Bring proof of residency.
Do I need a reason to vote absentee? No. Every registered Michigan voter can vote absentee.
I moved. Where do I vote? You vote where you live now. Update your address at your clerk's office, then check your polling place at Michigan.gov/Vote.
I have a past conviction. Can I vote? In Michigan, you can vote unless you are currently serving a sentence in jail or prison. If you're on probation or parole, or you've finished your sentence, you can register and vote.
Can I take time off work to vote? Early voting and absentee voting let you vote around your schedule. Early voting includes weekend days, including Saturday, Oct 24 and Sunday, Nov 1.
Does the Urban League tell me who to vote for? No. See our nonpartisan commitment below.
Our nonpartisan commitment
The Urban League of West Michigan does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate, political party or ballot proposal. Our guide gives every candidate in a race the same treatment, explains what a YES and a NO vote on each proposal would do, and says so plainly when a candidate's position couldn't be found. We provide the information. The choice is yours.
