Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 (2026)

Qualifications for registration as elector.

✓ current as of July 2026
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MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW


Act 116 of 1954


168.492 Qualifications for registration as elector.

Sec. 492.

    Each individual who has the following qualifications of an elector is entitled to register as an elector in the township or city in which he or she resides. The individual must be a citizen of the United States; not less than 17-1/2 years of age; a resident of this state; and a resident of the township or city.

History: 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 188, Eff. July 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Feb. 19, 1972 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 370, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 1973 ;-- Am. 1973, Act 180, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 1973 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 142, Imd. Eff. June 29, 1989 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 253, Imd. Eff. Dec. 14, 2010 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 125, Eff. Dec. 31, 2018

PopularName Notes:

Election Code
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1965–2026 · leading case: Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005).
Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005). · cites it 2× “2005) Michigan 18 Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 168.492 (West 1989) Minnesota 18 Minn.”
Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815 (1988). · cites it 2× “Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 (1979) Minn. Minn.”
United States Student Ass'n Found. v. Land, 546 F.3d 373 (6th Cir. 2008). · cites it 4× “" Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 . Since the 1998 election cycle, Michigan has employed a statewide voter registration database, the Qualified Voter File ("QVF"), which is maintained by the Secretary of State.”
In Re Request for Advisory Opinion Regarding Constitutionality of 2005 Pa 71, 740 N.W.2d 444 (Mich. 2007). · cites it 2× “*485 There are also numerous laws that address the qualifications of voters, MCL 168.492; the contents of registration affidavits, MCL 168.”
Bay Cnty. Democratic Party v. Land, 347 F. Supp. 2d 404 (E.D. Mich. 2004). · cites it 4× “” Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 ; see also Mich.”
Bloomfield Charter Twp. v. Oakland Cnty. Clerk, 654 N.W.2d 610 (Mich. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “[MCL 168.492 (emphasis added).] According to the plain language of § 492, the fact that the four challenged petitioners undisputedly registered as township voters approximately two months before the September 11, 2001, annexation election 11 “entitled [them] to be registered as…”
Ass'n of Cmty. Organizations for Reform Now v. Miller, 912 F. Supp. 976 (W.D. Mich. 1995). · cites it 2× “2, § 1; Mich.Comp.Laws § 168.492. Continuous and uninterrupted voting is not a qualification to vote under Michigan law.”
Michigan State UAW Cmty. Action Prog. Council v. Sec'y of State, 198 N.W.2d 385 (Mich. 1972). · cites it 3× “" [15] Of course, our own (§ 1 of the second article) requirement of six months residence in Michigan is not presently involved.”
Promote the Vote v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 9× “497 now provide: (1) An individual who is not registered to vote but possesses the qualifications of an elector as provided in [MCL 168.492] may apply for registration to the clerk of the county, township, or city in which he or she resides in person, during the clerk’s regular…”
Philip M O'Halloran Md v. Sec'y of State (Mich. 2024). · cites it 4× “MCL 168.492; MCL 168.523. Further, to be registered, the person must be at least 18 years old on the date of an election.”
Bryanton v. Johnson, 902 F. Supp. 2d 983 (E.D. Mich. 2012). · cites it 5× “See Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492 (setting forth the qualifications for registration to vote as follows: “The person shall be a citizen of the United States; not less than 18 years of age; a resident of the state for not less than 30 days; and a resident of the township, city, or…”
Promote the Vote v. Sec'y of State (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 2× “Pursuant to MCL 168.492, a person may nevertheless register to vote at the age of 17½.”
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