Elections and voting
Plainwell has one precinct, at City Hall. The City Clerk runs elections, absentee ballots and voter registration.
November 3, 2026 General Election
Early voting: Saturday, October 24, 2026 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, at Council Chambers, City Hall.
Election day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The polls are open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Notice of Election - November 3, 2026
- Notice of Early Voting - 10/24/2026 through 11/01/2026, 8 AM to 4 PM daily
- Early Voting Dates and Times: November 3, 2026 General Election
Precinct information
The City of Plainwell has one voting precinct located at City Hall, 211 N. Main St. All registered voters in the City of Plainwell vote in the Council Chambers, on the first floor, to the right-hand side when you enter the building.
Voter registration
To register to vote you must be:
- A US citizen
- 18 years of age by Election Day
- A resident of Michigan and the city or township where you are applying
You may register to vote online by visiting the Secretary of State website.
You may register to vote in person at:
- The City Clerk’s Office
- Any Michigan Secretary of State branch office
You may register to vote by mail by downloading an application and mailing the completed application to: City Clerk, 211 N. Main St, Plainwell, MI 49080.
Michigan Voter Information Center
The Michigan Voter Information Center will provide additional precinct information, let you know if you are registered to vote, provide maps of polling locations, a list of candidates and ballot proposals specific to your precinct, and a calendar of important election dates.
Absentee voting
Am I eligible?
Under Michigan law, all registered residents are able to request an absentee ballot.
Permanent absentee list
The City Clerk’s office maintains a permanent absent voter application list. Voters on this list will automatically receive an application for every election. If you’d like to be placed on this list, please call 269-685-6821.
Requesting the ballot
If you are a resident of the City of Plainwell, call us at 269-685-6821 or send an email to JoAnn Leonard to request an Application for Absent Voter Ballot. A signed application must be received before a ballot can be mailed.
You may also apply online at MI.gov/Vote.
Once the signed application is received and approved, the absentee ballot is sent by mail, generally the next business day. Ballots may also be picked up by the voter in person at the City Clerk’s office, within City Hall, at 211 N. Main Street. Ballots cannot be given to anyone other than the voter. Voters will be asked to present a valid photo ID when obtaining an absentee ballot in person at the Clerk’s office. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or did not bring it with them can still vote. They will be required to sign an affidavit stating that they are not in possession of photo ID.
If you are not a City of Plainwell resident, please contact your local clerk for an absentee ballot. Remember, a Plainwell address does not always indicate a City of Plainwell residence. Your voter identification card will list the jurisdiction of residence and contact information. If your jurisdiction is within Allegan County, contact the Allegan County Clerk’s office at 269-673-0450.
Completing the ballot
Inside your ballot envelope will be the ballot, a secrecy sleeve and a return envelope.
- Vote the ballot by completely filling in the oval to the right of the candidate’s name, using a black or blue pen.
- Be sure to vote for only the number of candidates listed in the heading for that office. Some offices allow more than one candidate to be nominated.
- Complete both sides of the ballot.
- Making sure the ballot stub is shown, refold the ballot and place in the secrecy sleeve.
- Place the secrecy sleeve with the ballot inside into the envelope, seal shut and sign the signature box. The ballot will not count if the envelope is not signed!
Returning the ballot
- Ballots may be returned by postal mail or dropped off at the Clerk’s office (or in the dropbox located in the parking area of Fannie Pell Park) by the voter, an immediate family member, a person residing in the same household or an assistant of the clerk.
- Ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Tips for mailing
- Don’t forget to sign the return envelope!
- Mail early! Ballots must be in the City Clerk’s office by 8:00 PM Election Day.
- No postage is required: ballots have prepaid postage.
Military or overseas citizens
The State of Michigan allows military and overseas citizens to vote using their last known registered address.
You may contact your commanding officer and receive a Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Application (FPCA). If you are a citizen overseas you may contact your Consulate Office. Or visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.
Election questions
Have a question that’s not on the list? Call us at 269-685-6821 or email us.
Where do I go to vote on Election Day?
All registered voters in the City of Plainwell jurisdiction vote at City Hall, in the Council Chambers. City Hall is located at 211 N Main St, and the Council Chambers are located on the first floor, to the right-hand side when you enter the building.
Please note: having a Plainwell address doesn’t guarantee that you’re a City of Plainwell voter. Check your voter registration at the Michigan Voter Information Center to be sure.
Do I need to have my voter registration card in order to vote?
No, your voter registration card is for your informational purposes only. Your voter registration card tells you where to vote. You are not required to present it in order to vote.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes, you can register to vote all the way up to 8 PM on Election Day. However, in order to register and vote on Election Day, you must come in person to the City Clerk’s Office. You must bring proof of residency in order to register and vote on Election Day. Proof of residency can include items such as utility bills, bank statements, a Michigan Driver’s License or ID, and other government documents. If you wish to register and vote on Election Day and have further questions, please call the Clerk’s Office at 269-685-6821 for further assistance.
Please note: voters are encouraged to register early to avoid delays in the voting process on Election Day.
How do I know what my ballot will look like?
You may view sample ballots online at the Michigan Voter Information Center. Sample ballots are only available for the jurisdictions participating in the current election, so if the City of Plainwell doesn’t have an election, there will not be an option to view sample ballots for the City of Plainwell.
Can an absentee ballot be sent to a post office box?
We can mail your absentee ballot to your post office box if the post office box is where you would normally receive your personal mail, and you do not receive mail at your registration address. Your registration address is still necessary to complete the application.
What is the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots can be received by a voter in person any time up to 4:00 PM on the day prior to the election. A voter who visits the clerk’s office on the day prior to the election to obtain an absentee ballot must vote the ballot in the office; the voter is not permitted to leave the office with the ballot.
What if I have an emergency and need to request an absentee ballot?
You may make an “emergency” request for an absentee ballot if you cannot attend the polls because of:
- personal injury or illness
- a family death or illness that requires you to leave your community for the entire time the polls are open on election day
The emergency must have occurred after 5:00 PM on Friday prior to the election. If you are requesting an emergency absentee ballot, you may have someone deliver your written request for the ballot to your city or township clerk’s office before 4 PM on election day.
Emergency ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office by 8 PM on election day.
Can I drop off my voted absentee ballot at my voting precinct?
Yes.
I’m a military or overseas resident. I’ve requested a ballot but am afraid there won’t be time to receive it, vote it and have it back by Election Day. What can I do?
You should contact your commanding officer or US Consulate and vote a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). This form allows the voter to write the candidate of his or her choice for any office or ballot initiative they would see on the official ballot. A military or overseas voter using the FWAB may write in votes for any federal, state or local office, or proposal on the ballot.