Hello Michigan!

If you are a US citizen who will be 18 or older by November 6, 2016, and you live in Michigan, you've come to the right video, because it's time to vote. First you need to register though, and if you're not sure whether or not you're registered already there's a link in the description where you can go check right now.

If you're not registered, or you've moved or changed your name since the last election, you'll have to register by mail. I know it's a pain, but you can print off the form using the link below and mail it in by October 9th if you want to be registered in time for the November midterm elections. Otherwise, you can find a paper application at your local Secretary of State branch office or city, county, or township clerk's office if you don't have access to a printer.

Links to locate those offices are in the description. Once you're registered, you get to vote. In most cases, you're going to be voting in person on November 6th, but you can vote absentee by mail if you will be out of state on election day – that includes if you are a student in another state but would prefer to vote in Michigan, you're over 60 or can't vote without assistance, or you have a religious belief that doesn't allow you to get to the polls.

If any of those apply to you, you can request a ballot by printing out the form in the link below and mailing it to your local clerk. You can request your ballot any time between now and November 3rd at 2pm, but the sooner you get your request in, the longer you will have to get your ballot, look it over, research candidates, and vote before you send it in by November 6th. For everyone else, there's a link to find out where you need to go to vote on November 6th.

Polls are open from 7am to 8pm and you'll need to show a photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, student ID, passport, military, or tribal ID are all acceptable. You can also go to michigan.gov/vote to look at a sample ballot that tells you everything you'll be able to vote for in the midterm elections.

You don't have to vote for every single item on the ballot--you can leave things blank if you want to – but your local elections can be pretty important, so it's worth checking out what's on there ahead of time. You can even print it out and bring it to the polls with you so you don't forget who you wanted to vote for. The best thing to do if you're planning to vote in the midterms is to make a plan to vote right now – from what day you're going to register to whether you going to vote in person or absentee.

What kind of ID you're going to use, and where it is, even what time you're going to vote and how you're going to get there. Write it down, put it in your notes app, text it to your friend, just make a plan so that nothing unexpected stops you from being counted on November 6th. All the links you need to check your registration and polling location are in the description.

Thank you for voting.