Elections
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2026 Election Schedule
Yearly Election Schedule and Important Information
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Absentee Ballots
Absentee Voting Information
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Candidate Filing Information
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Early In-Person Voting
Early Voting Information
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Election Inspectors
Election Inspectors
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Military and Overseas Voters
Military and Overseas Voter Information
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Polling Locations
Find City of Battle Creek polling locations.
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Voter Registration
Voter Registration Information
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Wards and Precinct Maps
Wards and Precinct Maps
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Track My Ballot
Track your AV Ballot
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Election Results
Election Results
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Change to Voting Precincts
2025-2026 Precinct consolidation information
- I will not be able to vote in person on Election Day. How do I obtain an absent voter's ballot?
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Absent voter ballots are available to all registered voters for all elections. Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and must be submitted to the City Clerk's office by hand, via postal mail, fax, or email, as long as a signature is visible . The written request may be on a pre-printed application form supplied by the City or on the absent voter ballot application supplied by the State of Michigan, in a letter or on a postcard. Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by the Clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at the Clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election. If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at the Clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on election day, you must vote the ballot in the Clerk's office.
- Do I need to show identification in order to vote?
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Voters will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID, including:
- Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
- Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
- Federal, state or local government-issued photo identification
- U.S. passport
- Military ID with photo
- Educational institution ID
- Tribal identification card with photo
The ID does not need to include the voter’s address.
Please note that voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can cast a ballot and will be asked to sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID.
- Can I vote a "split" ticket?
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August Primary
You cannot "split" your ticket (i.e., vote in more than one party column) when voting in the August primary. Voters participating in an August primary must confine their votes to a single party column.
November General Election
You can "split" your ticket when voting in the November general election. A voter participating in a November general election who wishes to cast a "split" ticket can vote for individual candidates of his or her choice under any party.
- May I receive assistance when voting?
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Yes. Under state law, you may request assistance from the precinct board for voting assistance. When a voter asks the precinct board for voting assistance, two election inspectors who have expressed a preference for different political parties must provide the needed help. Under federal law, a voter who is blind, disabled or unable to read or write may be assisted with his or her ballot by any person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a union the voter belongs to.
- Can I bring my child with me to vote?
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Yes. A minor child may accompany a voter in the voting booth at an election. Anyone under the age of 18 years is regarded as a minor child under state election law.
- Does my voter registration expire?
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No. Voter registration is permanent, however if you move from one community to another or change your name, you must re-register to vote. State law requires that you register to vote at the address shown on your Michigan Driver’s License.
- Where do I go to vote?
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Your polling location and precinct number are located on your voter ID card. If you do not have your voter ID card, you may obtain this information by calling (269) 966-3348 or visit the State of Michigan Voter Website.
- How can I check the status of my absent voter ballot request?
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You can check on the status of your absent voter ballot request by contacting your city or township clerk's office. Voters can obtain contact information for their clerk by using the Michigan Voter Information Center.
- How do I register to vote?
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To register to vote, you must be all of the following:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 18 years old by Election Day
- A resident of the State of Michigan
- A resident of the City of Battle Creek
How to Register:
Eligible citizens may become registered to vote in a variety of ways, at any time through Election Day. Individuals who register to vote within the 14-day period immediately preceding an election must appear in person at their city or township clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.
Individuals using any other method must register to vote at least 15 days before Election Day and are not required to provide proof of residency. Other methods of registration include an application obtained at one of the following locations:
- Your local Secretary of State branch office
- Your local county, city, or township clerk's office
- Offices of several state agencies, like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- Military recruitment centers
- Voter registration drives
- Online at www.Michigan.gov/sos
Michigan law states that the same address must be used for voter registration and driver's license purposes. That means, if the residence address you provide on the application differs from the address shown on a driver's license or personal identification card issued by the state of Michigan, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver's license or personal ID card address to match the residence address entered on this form. If a change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver's license or personal ID card.
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- I'm am living outside the U.S. how can I vote?
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If you are a military or overseas civilian voter who is eligible to vote in Michigan and you are living outside the U.S., you may send a Federal Postcard Application to register to vote and request an application. This application is distributed through U.S. embassies and military bases.