Although Election Day for Michigan's August primary isn't until Tuesday, Aug. 4, voters are able to vote early in person through Sunday, Aug. 2 in most Michigan communities.
Early in-person voting works just like going to the polls on Election Day. Registered voters can visit an early voting location, fill out their ballots and cast them at an early voting site. For voters who want to cast their ballots in person but may have time constraints on Election Day itself, early voting allows another convenient option, advocates say.
More than one million voters have already cast ballots, either through absentee voting or at an early voting site, through July 30, according to the Secretary of State's office. For those still looking to cast a vote ahead
of Election Day, here's more on how to find an early voting site, where to return an absentee ballot and more.
Where do I find my early voting site?
To find hours and locations for early voting centers in your community, visit the online Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote and click on "How do I vote early?" underneath the section titled "Vote in person."
Larger communities may have more than one early voting site for voters to choose from.
If you've already requested and received an absentee ballot, you do have the option to cast it at an early voting site by entering the completed ballot through a tabulator there. Voters also have the option to surrender an absentee ballot at an early voting location.
Mailing absentee ballots no longer recommended
This close to Election Day, officials recommend turning absentee ballots in at secure dropbox locations, at a local clerk's office, or at an early voting site to avoid potential delays with the mail. Absentee ballots can also be submitted at voting precincts on Election Day itself.
In order to be counted, absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, when polls close (there are exceptions for military and overseas voters).
If you're not sure where to find a dropbox location, or where your local clerk's office is, that information can be found at michigan.gov/vote.
Some communities offering early voting Monday
According to the Secretary of State's office, these communities are offering early voting on Monday, Aug. 3 (hours vary by location):
- Lansing
- Grand Blanc Township
- Harrison Township
- Erie Township
- Luna Pier
- Lincoln Park
- Van Buren Township
Early voting in other Michigan communities wraps Sunday, Aug. 2. In statewide elections, communities in Michigan are required to hold at least nine days of early voting.
Check your voter registration
Before heading out to an early voting center, check to see if you're registered to vote!
Visit the state's voter information website michigan.gov/vote and click "Am I registered?" Once on that webpage, you can enter your first and last names, birth month and year and ZIP code to check if you're registered to vote. Or, you can enter your driver's license number and birth month and year to confirm your registration status.
There's still time to register to vote
Eligible Michigan residents can register to vote and cast a ballot in an election up until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Within two weeks of an election, residents must register to vote in person at their local clerk's office with proof of residency. The deadline to register online ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election has passed.
To register to vote in Michigan, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen.
- A Michigan resident for at least 30 days by the time you vote.
- At least 17.5 years old, and be 18 by Election Day.
- Not currently serving a jail or prison sentence.
Within 14 days of an election (including on Election Day itself), you must provide proof of residency. This can include:
- Your Michigan driver’s license or state ID.
- A current utility bill.
- A bank statement.
- A paycheck or government check.
- Another government document.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com
Looking for more on Michigan’s elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Early voting available through Aug. 2 in most Michigan communities
