§ 168.523Identification of registered elector; presenting identification for election

purposes; execution of application; challenge; affidavit; approval, initial, and notation of
 application; application as poll list; filing application; notations on cards or lists; record
 of voting participation.
 Sec. 523.
    (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), at each election, before being given a
 ballot, each registered elector offering to vote must identify himself or herself by presenting
 identification for election purposes, and by executing an application, on a form prescribed by
 the secretary of state, in the presence of an election official that includes all of the following:
    (a) The name of the elector.
    (b) The elector's address of residence.
    (c) The elector's date of birth.
    (d) An affirmative statement by the elector that is included in the signature statement
 indicating that he or she is a citizen of the United States.
    (e) The elector's signature or mark.
    (2) If an elector's signature contained in the qualified voter file is available in the polling
 place, the election official shall compare the signature upon the application with the digitized
 signature provided by the qualified voter file. If an elector's signature is not contained in the
 qualified voter file, the election official shall process the application in the same manner as
 applications are processed when a voter registration list is used in the polling place. If voter
 registration lists are used in the precinct, the election inspector shall determine if the name on
 the application to vote appears on the voter registration list. If the name appears on the voter
 registration list, the elector shall provide further identification or other information stated upon
 the voter registration list. If the signature or an item of information does not correspond, the
 vote of the person must be challenged, and the same procedure must be followed as provided
 in this act for the challenging of an elector. If the elector does not have identification for


                                                                    Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
Rendered Thursday, April 30, 2026              Page 201 of 478                              Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

 election purposes as required under this section, the individual shall sign an affidavit to that
 effect before an election inspector and be allowed to vote as otherwise provided in this act.
 However, an elector being allowed to vote without identification for election purposes as
 required under this section is subject to challenge as provided in section 727.
     (3) If, upon a comparison of the signature or other identification as required in this section,
 it is found that the applicant is entitled to vote, the election officer having charge of the
 registration list shall approve the application and write his or her initials on the application,
 after which the number on the ballot issued must be noted on the application. The application
 serves as 1 of the 2 poll lists required to be kept as a record of a person who has voted. The
 application must be filed with the township, city, or village clerk. If voter registration cards are
 used in the precinct, the date of the election must be noted by 1 of the election officials upon
 the precinct registration card of each elector voting at an election. If voter registration lists are
 used in the precinct, the election official shall clearly indicate upon the list each elector voting
 at that election. The clerk of a city, village, or township shall maintain a record of voting
 participation for each registered elector.