Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election is approaching, and statewide early voting begins Saturday, July 25.
If your absentee ballot is still at home or in your possession, complete it and return it right away. Coalition partners no longer recommend returning absentee ballots by mail for most voters because of possible delivery delays. Instead, return your ballot to your city or township clerk’s office, use a secure drop box in your city or township, or bring it to your assigned early voting site beginning July 25 and insert it directly into a tabulator.
What to know about early voting
Michigan’s mandatory early voting period for the August 4 Primary Election begins Saturday, July 25 and continues through Sunday, August 2.
Early voting sites must be open for at least eight hours each day, but exact hours vary by community. Your assigned early voting site may also be in a different location and have different hours than your Election Day polling place.
Voting at an early voting site is similar to voting at a polling place on Election Day. You will check in with an election worker, receive a ballot, mark it, and insert it directly into a tabulator.
Visit mi.gov/vote and select “Where do I go to Early Vote” to find your assigned early voting site, dates, and hours.
Questions or problems while voting
For questions about early voting or any other part of the voting process, or to report a problem, call or text the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or 866-687-8683.
Additional language assistance is available by calling:
Spanish and English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA or 888-839-8682
Asian languages and English: 888-API-VOTE or 888-274-8683
Arabic and English: 844-YALLA-US or 844-925-5287
Promote the Vote Fund is monitoring Michigan calls through Election Day and will respond to issues as they arise.
Sign your ballot envelope
Before returning your absentee ballot, make sure you sign and date the return envelope.
Use the signature you normally use for your Michigan driver’s license or state ID, or the signature you provided when registering to vote. Election officials compare the signature on the envelope with the signature in your voter record.
Ways to return your absentee ballot
You can return your completed and signed absentee ballot:
- In person to your city or township clerk’s office
- To a secure ballot drop box in your city or township
- At your assigned early voting site beginning July 25, where you can insert the completed ballot directly into a tabulator.
- At your polling place on Election Day, where you can insert the completed ballot directly into a tabulator, except in Detroit
If you bring a completed absentee ballot to an early voting site or eligible Election Day polling place, tell the election workers when you check in that you would like to insert it into a tabulator.
Detroit voters may bring completed absentee ballots to an assigned early voting site. On Election Day, Detroit absentee ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office or a secure drop box rather than inserted into a tabulator at an Election Day polling place.
Visit mi.gov/vote and select “Your voter information” to find your clerk’s office, secure drop boxes, early voting sites, and Election Day polling place.
Someone else may be able to return your ballot
If neither you nor an eligible person can return it, contact your city or township clerk as soon as possible. Your clerk may be able to help retrieve your ballot. To qualify for clerk pickup, you must contact your clerk by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 31, and your ballot must be located within the city or township where you are registered.
Find your clerk’s phone number and office information at mi.gov/vote.
Track your absentee ballot
You can track your absentee ballot at mi.gov/vote by selecting “Your voter information.”
The tracking information shows when your application was received, when your ballot was sent, and when your completed ballot was received by your clerk.
Still need an absentee ballot?
Voters who still need to register or update their address must visit their city or township clerk’s office or satellite office, if their community offers one, with proof of residency. They can register and vote there through 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Different deadline for military and overseas voters
Michigan voters serving in the military or living overseas have a different absentee ballot deadline.
Upcoming dates for the August 4 Primary Election
Now: Return completed absentee ballots directly to your clerk’s office or a secure drop box. Voters can also vote in person with an absentee ballot at their city or township clerk’s office.
July 25: Michigan’s mandatory in-person early voting period begins. Early voting sites must be open for at least eight hours each day through August 2, although exact hours vary by community. Visit mi.gov/vote to find your assigned site and hours.
July 31 at 5:00 PM: Deadline to contact your clerk if you are unable to return your completed absentee ballot and need clerk assistance. Your ballot must be located within the city or township where you are registered.
August 3 at 4:00 PM: Deadline for voters who are already registered at their current address to request and vote an absentee ballot at their clerk’s office.
August 4: Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Most absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s clerk by 8:00 PM.
Eligible residents can register or update their address at their city or township clerk’s office or satellite office, if their community offers one, with proof of residency through 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Visit mi.gov/vote to check your registration, find your clerk, locate an early voting site or secure drop box, view your sample ballot, and track your absentee ballot.
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