Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election is coming up, and voters do not have to wait until Election Day to cast a ballot.

Starting June 25, voters can begin voting in person with an absentee ballot at their city or township clerk’s office. Michigan absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days before every election, and all registered Michigan voters have the right to vote by mail using an absentee ballot. 

Voters who want to vote from home can request an absentee ballot now. Voters on the Permanent Mail Ballot List can skip that step because their local clerk will automatically mail them an absentee ballot. 

Key dates for the August 4 Primary Election

Now: Request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application. If you plan to vote by mail, coalition partners recommend requesting your ballot by July 14 so you have time to receive it, complete it, and return it to your city or township clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.

June 25: First day to vote in person with an absentee ballot at your city or township clerk’s office.

July 20: Last day to register to vote online or by mail for the August 4 Primary Election. After this date, voters must register in person at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. 

July 21: For most voters, this is the last day coalition partners recommend returning an absentee ballot by mail to avoid possible mail delays. Starting July 22, voters are encouraged to return absentee ballots in person to their city or township clerk’s office or to a secure drop box in their city or township.

Proof of residency examples include:

✓ Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or U.S. Passport

✓ A utility bill

✓ Insurance documents (health, car, home, etc.)

✓ A bank or credit card statement

✓ Financial aid or school enrollment documents

✓ A lease agreement

✓ A paycheck or other government check

✓ Other government document

July 25: First day of the statewide in-person early voting period. Michigan voters have the right to cast a ballot early and in person at an early voting site before Election Day. Voters can look up their assigned early voting site at Michigan.gov/Vote.

August 2: Last day of statewide in-person early voting. Michigan’s mandatory early voting period for statewide and federal elections runs for at least nine consecutive days and ends the Sunday before Election Day. 

August 3 at 4:00 PM: Deadline to vote in person with an absentee ballot at your city or township clerk’s office if you are already registered to vote where you live. After this deadline, registered voters must vote at their polling place on Election Day.

August 4: Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time. If you need to register to vote, you can register and vote at your city or township clerk’s office until 8:00 PM. 

Make your voting plan

Michigan voters have several options for the August 4 Primary Election. You can vote by mail with an absentee ballot, vote in person with an absentee ballot at your clerk’s office, vote early in person at an assigned early voting site, or vote at your polling place on Election Day.

To check your registration, request an absentee ballot, find your clerk, view your sample ballot, or look up early voting and drop box locations, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.