Ferndale, Michigan Public Records

Since implementing Election Day registration in 2018, the state allows residents to register and vote the same day at their city or township clerk's office with proof of residency. Standard online registration requires a Michigan driver's license or state ID. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Michigan residents for at least 30 days. Residents can also register at the Ferndale City Clerk's office at 300 East Nine Mile Road during business hours or at any Secretary of State branch. As an incorporated city, Ferndale conducts its own municipal elections for Mayor and City Council. Voters elect a Mayor and five City Council members to four-year terms on non-partisan ballots. These municipal elections take place in odd-numbered years, typically in November, with the next scheduled for November 4, 2025. Mayoral races occur simultaneously with some council seats. Candidate filing details and local ballot measure information are available through the Ferndale City Clerk at 248-546-2332 and at ferndalemi.gov. Residents can locate their assigned polling place through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote by entering their name and date of birth. The site displays polling place addresses, sample ballots, and early voting locations. Michigan began offering nine days of early in-person voting starting in 2024, available at designated early voting centers throughout the city. The state makes extensive election records available to the public. Voter registration lists, excluding birthdates and driver's license numbers, can be obtained through written request and payment of fees. Campaign finance disclosures for state and local candidates are searchable at michigan.gov/sos under Campaign Finance. Candidate filings, nomination petitions, and financial disclosures are all public records. The Oakland County Clerk publishes precinct-level election results at oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections shortly after certification, typically within two weeks of Election Day. During the November 2024 presidential election, Oakland County recorded approximately 64.8% voter turnout with over 670,000 ballots cast from roughly 1.03 million registered voters, demonstrating Oakland County's strong civic engagement in presidential cycles. On November 3, 2026, Ferndale and Oakland County voters will participate in Michigan's gubernatorial midterm election. The ballot will feature races for Governor (four-year term), all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats (two-year terms), approximately 19 Michigan Senate seats (four-year terms in rotation), statewide offices including Secretary of State and Attorney General, Oakland County executive and commission seats, judicial positions including circuit and district court judges, and potentially county offices such as Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, and Prosecutor. No U.S. Senate seat from Michigan is up in 2026. Local voters will also decide city proposals and Oakland County millages if placed on the ballot. State legislative districts were redrawn following the 2020 census by Michigan's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Michigan offers no-reason absentee voting to all registered voters. Any voter can request an absentee ballot online through the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote, by mail, or in person at the Ferndale City Clerk's office. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. The Friday before Election Day, though voters can request and submit absentee ballots in person at the clerk's office through 8:00 p.m. On Election Day. Completed ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. On Election Day either by mail (postmarks do not count), at the clerk's office, or in designated drop boxes located throughout the city.