Michigan Voter Information Center: Verify your voter registration, register to vote, see your voting location, view your sample ballot, request an absentee ballot and track the status of your absentee ballot at www.michigan.gov/vote.
Kentwood residents: For voter registration, absentee ballot and elections inquiries, contact the Kentwood City Clerk's Office at elections@kentwood.us or 616.554.0730.
- The list of elected officials representing Kentwood residents can be found on the Government Representatives page.
- An explanation of the election process in Michigan, including ballot preparation, issuing and counting ballots and conduct of testing and auditing, can be found on the Election Process page.
- Additional information for voters and candidates can be found on the Kent County Elections website.
- Access voter FAQs here.
VOTER REGISTRATION ABSENTEE BALLOTS VOTING LOCATIONS WORKING ELECTIONS
2023 election schedule
2023 is a City Commission election year. Elections held in the City of Kentwood are as follows:
May 2, 2023 - Kelloggsville Public Schools Millage Proposal
August 8, 2023 - City Commission Primary election - At Large Commissioner
November 7, 2023 - City Commission General election; Kent District Library Millage; Forest Hills Schools Bond/Millage proposals
In 2023 Kentwood residents will elect three City Commissioners: Ward 1, Ward 2, and At-Large. The filing deadline for candidates to appear on the ballot has passed. The deadline for write-in candidates is 11 days prior to Election Day.
Interested in working on Election Day? Get an application and all the information on being an election worker here!
The Michigan Bureau of Elections has created a YouTube video for Michigan voters, "A Voter's Guide to Voting", which explains what to expect when you appear at your voting location on election day.
For election results, visit Kent County Election Results. Preliminary results will be posted on Election night when all precincts and absentee results are complete and reported.
voter registration
To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age (by Election Day), and a Kentwood resident for 30 days (by Election Day).
Online Voter Registration
You must have a valid Michigan driver's license or State ID card
Register at michigan.gov/VoterRegistration
In Person Voter Registration
Complete the Michigan Voter Registration/Change of Address Form
Bring the form and photo ID to one of the following offices:
Kentwood City Clerk's Office, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, Kentwood
Any Secretary of State Branch Office (see michigan.gov/sos/ for info or to schedule an appointment)
Kent County Clerk's Office, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids (see accesskent.com for info)
State Agencies: Family Independence Agency, Dept. of Community Health, MI Jobs Commission
Mail-in Voter Registration
Complete the Michigan Voter Registration/Change of Address Form
Mail to: Kentwood City Clerk, PO Box 8848, Kentwood MI 49518
Email to: elections@kentwood.us
Voter Registration within 14 days of an election must be in person at the Kentwood City Clerk's Office
You must register to vote prior to appearing at your voting location on Election Day.
- Register in person, online or by mail up to 15 days prior to Election Day (Oct 23 for November 7 election)
- Within 14 days of the election (Oct 24 through Election Day, Nov 7), register in person at the City Clerk's office: 4900 Breton Ave SE, providing proof of identity (photo ID) and proof of residence. A Michigan driver's license/State ID with current residence address satisfies both requirements.
- Photo ID = Michigan driver's license or State ID; current license or ID from another state, federal or state government issued photo ID; U.S. passport; student ID with photo; military ID card with photo; or tribal ID card with photo
- Residence (must include applicant's name and current address) = MI driver's license or State ID; utility bill; bank statement; paycheck; government check; or other government document
- On Election Day, a newly registered voter may choose to either vote an absentee ballot at the City Clerk's office or receive a receipt and travel to their precinct/voting location to vote
absentee ballot information
Absentee voting (also known as vote by mail or vote from home) is a safe and convenient process. All registered voters can request an absentee ballot; you are not required to declare a reason to vote absentee. A request must be made in writing and signed by the voter. Your signature is verified when you apply and when you return your ballot, and all absentee ballots are processed and counted on Election Day.
Apply for your absentee ballot:
- Complete an application online at www.michigan.gov/vote
- Complete an absentee ballot application form
- Submit a letter or postcard noting your name, election date, address, signature and date
- Request a ballot in person at the Kentwood City Clerk's office
- Military/Overseas voters may submit a Federal Postcard Application
- Voters with print disabilities may request an accessible electronic ballot
- In person = Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE, Kentwood
- Place in drop box = City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE or Kentwood Activities Center, 355 - 48th St SE or Kentwood Fire Station 2, 4151 Embassy Dr SE
- By mail = Kentwood City Clerk, PO Box 8848, Kentwood MI 49518
- By email = elections@kentwood.us
- By fax = 616.656.5293
- To receive an absentee ballot by mail, an application must be received by noon the Friday prior to Election Day
- To receive an absentee ballot in person to take home, you must appear in person by 3 p.m. on the Saturday prior to Election Day
- To receive and vote an absentee ballot in person, you must appear at City Hall by 4 p.m. on Monday, the day before Election Day
- To register to vote in Kentwood and receive an absentee ballot, you must appear at City Hall with proof of residency by 8 p.m. on Election Day
- All absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by 8 pm on Election Day (see "Return your absentee ballot" below)
- In person - if you apply in person within 40 days of the election, we can hand you a ballot. You can only receive a ballot for yourself; you cannot pick up a ballot on behalf of someone else.
- By mail - we begin mailing ballots to voters who have applied about 40 days prior to the election. If we receive your application within 40 days of the election, we process the request within 24 hours and you will generally receive your ballot by mail within 3 - 5 business days.
Return your absentee ballot:
A postage-paid return envelope is provided and the envelope must be signed by the voter in the signature box.
If you make an error filling out your absentee ballot, or if it is lost, damaged, or was never received, you can contact the City Clerk's office to spoil and reissue your ballot. Requests are made in writing with an affidavit form and can be returned in person or sent by mail, email or fax.
Permanent mail ballot list
Kentwood voters have new options for voting with the passing of Proposal 22-2. Beginning in 2023, you may choose to be on the Permanent Mail Ballot List.
Permanent Mail Ballot List: Voters are mailed an absentee ballot for every election held in the City. If you choose to vote in person, you should surrender your absentee ballot at the polls to avoid delays.
Permanent Application List: This is the former list. Voters are mailed an application for an absentee ballot for every election held in the City. If you choose to vote in person or decline to vote in an election, you can disregard the mailed application. The application must be completed and returned to the Clerk's office to receive an absentee ballot. This list will be phased out as we transition to the permanent ballot list.
To be placed on a permanent ballot list, complete this form or make a request by mail, email, by phone or in person, providing your name, address and year of birth to Kentwood City Clerk, PO Box 8848, Kentwood, 49518; elections@kentwood.us; 616.698.9610; or in person at 4900 Breton Ave. SE.
Early Voting
What is a precinct/polling place?
The precinct or polling place is where you go to cast your ballot in person on Election Day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you do not know your precinct, check your Voter ID Card, call the City Clerk's Office at 616.698.9610, or view online at www.michigan.gov/vote.
City of Kentwood Precinct Map
Election worker application information
The Kentwood City Clerk's Office is looking for friendly people who are detail oriented and comfortable working with computers. View information on working on election day for the City of Kentwood and the job description for Election Inspector. To apply to be an election worker, complete an application and return it to the City Clerk's Office.
A postage-paid return envelope is provided and the envelope must be signed by the voter in the signature box.
- By mail - the return envelope is addressed to the City Clerk's office
- In person - bring in to Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours (M-W-Th 7:30-4:30, T 7:30-6, F 7:30-noon)
- In drop box - in median south of City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE or at Kentwood Activities Center, 355 - 48th St SE or at Kentwood Fire Station 2, 4151 Embassy Dr SE, all available 24 hours
- Deadline: Your ballot must be received at Kentwood City Hall by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks are not accepted. Your ballot cannot be processed at your precinct/polling location or at any other city/county/township office.
- Military and Overseas voters absentee ballots will be accepted if postmarked by Election Day and received within 6 days of the election (Nov 13 for the Nov 7 election)
- Track your absentee ballot at www.michigan.gov/vote
If you make an error filling out your absentee ballot, or if it is lost, damaged, or was never received, you can contact the City Clerk's office to spoil and reissue your ballot. Requests are made in writing with an affidavit form and can be returned in person or sent by mail, email or fax.
Permanent mail ballot list
Kentwood voters have new options for voting with the passing of Proposal 22-2. Beginning in 2023, you may choose to be on the Permanent Mail Ballot List.
Permanent Mail Ballot List: Voters are mailed an absentee ballot for every election held in the City. If you choose to vote in person, you should surrender your absentee ballot at the polls to avoid delays.
Permanent Application List: This is the former list. Voters are mailed an application for an absentee ballot for every election held in the City. If you choose to vote in person or decline to vote in an election, you can disregard the mailed application. The application must be completed and returned to the Clerk's office to receive an absentee ballot. This list will be phased out as we transition to the permanent ballot list.
To be placed on a permanent ballot list, complete this form or make a request by mail, email, by phone or in person, providing your name, address and year of birth to Kentwood City Clerk, PO Box 8848, Kentwood, 49518; elections@kentwood.us; 616.698.9610; or in person at 4900 Breton Ave. SE.
Early Voting
In November 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that gives voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites before statewide and federal elections. Early voting allows a voter to cast a ballot before Election Day, in an experience similar to voting on Election Day.
During the early voting period, voters are issued a ballot and can insert their ballot directly into a tabulator at their early voting site.
Early voting will be available beginning with the presidential primary in 2024 and every statewide and federal election thereafter. More details about early voting will be shared as they become available.
city of kentwood polling placesWhat is a precinct/polling place?
The precinct or polling place is where you go to cast your ballot in person on Election Day. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. If you do not know your precinct, check your Voter ID Card, call the City Clerk's Office at 616.698.9610, or view online at www.michigan.gov/vote.
City of Kentwood Precinct Map
| WARD | PRECINCT | LOCATION | ADDRESS |
| 1 | 1, 4, 5 | Kentwood Activities Center | 355 - 48th St SE |
| 1 | 2 | St Mary Magdalen Church | 1253 - 52nd St SE |
| 1 | 3, 6 | Kelloggsville Christian Reformed Church | 610 - 52nd St SE |
| 1 | 7 | Kentwood Christian Church | 5841 Kalamazoo Ave |
| 1 | 8 | Princeton Christian Reformed Church | 5330 Kalamazoo Ave |
| 1 | 9 | Grand Rapids Baptist Church | 4525 Stauffer Ave |
| 2 | 10 | St Marks Lutheran Church | 1934 - 52nd St SE |
| 2 | 11 | African Community Fellowship Church | 4275 Shaffer Ave |
| 2 | 12 | Kentwood Library | 4950 Breton Ave |
| 2 | 13, 15 | St Paul United Methodist Church | 3334 Breton Ave |
| 2 | 14, 18 | Covenant Park Clubhouse | 3724 Shaffer Ave |
| 2 | 16 | Church of the Servant | 3835 Burton St |
| 1 | 17 | Pentecostals of Kentwood | 2627 - 44th St SE |
Election worker application information
The Kentwood City Clerk's Office is looking for friendly people who are detail oriented and comfortable working with computers. View information on working on election day for the City of Kentwood and the job description for Election Inspector. To apply to be an election worker, complete an application and return it to the City Clerk's Office.