The City Clerk is the Chief Elections Officer of the city and is responsible for voter registration in Detroit.

To be qualified to register and vote in the City of Detroit persons must be citizens of the United States, at least 18 years of age, residents of the City and state for at least 30 days on or before the 30th day prior to primary or election day. Registrations may be accepted in the Department of Elections Office any secular day of the year except election days. Persons who will become 18 years of age between the close of registration and the day following an ensuing primary or election and otherwise have the necessary qualifications, should enroll during the period registrations are in progress.

Persons already registered, but who have moved, must affect a transfer of registration to be eligible to vote in their new precinct at the ensuing primary or election. Such transfers may be accomplished either in person at the Department of Elections Office or by mailing in a signed notice, giving both old and new addresses. All transfers, either made personally or by mail, must be effected not later than the thirtieth day preceding any primary or election.

Those voters, who neglected to effect a change of address, may go to their polling place at the old precinct to vote and change their address on election day.