FOIA Advisor

Q&A: O Michigan Voter, Where Art Thou?

Q&A (2015-2023)Allan BlutsteinComment

Q.  Are absentee voter applications [in Michigan] subject to FOIA and what information,  if any, will be redacted?

A.   Certain information that appears  on an absentee ballot application, such as a home address, would typically be protected in response to an access request.  In this instance, however, Michigan's election law provides that applications for absentee ballots "shall be be open to public inspection at all reasonable hours."  I infer from this provision that no information would be redacted in response to a request to inspect an application (or a FOIA request).   For additional guidance, you might wish to contact the Secretary of State's Office, which oversees elections in Michigan.