Early voting begins July 27 for the primaries

LANSING, Mich. – From Saturday, July 27 through Sunday, August 4, registered Michigan voters can cast their ballots in person at early voting sites across the state for the August 6 primary election. Voters can find their local voter locations and hours at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.

“Every citizen has the power to make their voice heard at the ballot box,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “It’s important that Michigan voters know they have convenient options to cast their ballots in the primary. Early voting starts this weekend — that’s two Saturdays, two Sundays and a full week in between to walk in and vote. No matter which option you choose to cast your ballot, Michigan’s clerks and bipartisan election workers will ensure the process is safe and secure, and that the results reflect the will of the voters.”

Early voting locations operate similarly to Election Day polling places: voters walk in, receive a ballot, mark the ballot, and insert it into a voting machine. Voting machines count ballots throughout the early voting period, but results are not known or released until Election Night. A voter’s early voting location may not be the same as his or her regular polling place. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting.

In November 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 2, a constitutional amendment giving voters the right to vote early at least nine days before state and federal elections. The February 27 presidential primary was the first in-person early voting election, with more than 78,000 Michigan voters choosing this option.

Onsite voter registration is not available at most early voting sites – citizens who plan to vote early should make sure they are registered at their current address. Michiganders can check their registration status at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Voters who requested and received a mail-in ballot may bring their completed ballot to their polling place to be counted, or they may personally drop off the ballot at their local clerk’s office or secure ballot drop box. Mail-in ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. To avoid mail-in delays, the department recommends against mailing a mail-in ballot so close to Election Day. As always, only one ballot per voter will be accepted, counted, and tallied.

Election Day is Tuesday, August 6. Polls are open across the state from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about voting and elections in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.