Over 1.5 million Michigan voters have requested absentee ballots for Primary Election

LANSING, Mich. – With just under four weeks until Michigan’s Primary Election Day, over 1.5 million of the state’s voters have requested an absentee ballot and more than 178,000 voters have already submitted a completed ballot – breaking the previous records set in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This is great news for Michigan, and for democracy,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “In 2020, we saw our highest turnout elections in Michigan history. It is thrilling to see we are on track to exceed those high turnout levels in 2024 and even more exciting to see voters engaged early at such significant numbers and committed to ensuring their voice is heard. No matter where you live or who you vote for, Michigan’s nonpartisan, professional election clerks and poll workers are ready to administer safe, secure elections so that every citizen’s voice is heard.” 

As of July 9, a total of 1,518,665 Michigan citizens have requested an absentee ballot or received a ballot after joining the permanent absentee ballot list. That’s 157,833 more than had requested an absentee ballot at the same point prior to the 2020 August Primary.

So far this summer, 178,931 voters have completed their absentee ballot for the Primary Election and returned it to be counted – 67,917 more than at the same point in 2020. A breakdown by jurisdiction is available online.

Michigan does not register voters by party, but state law requires voters to cast votes for only one party’s candidates in the Primary Election. Votes for candidates in multiple parties on the same ballot will not be counted.

Voters can check the status of their absentee application or ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting their local election clerk. Voters who already received an absentee ballot should promptly complete it, sign the back of the envelope, and mail it or drop it off at their clerk’s office or designated ballot drop box.   

Eligible Michigan citizens can register to vote online or by mail until Monday, July 22, or in person at their local clerk’s office with proof of residency by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

To cast a ballot in person, voters can go to an early voting site in their jurisdiction from July 27 to Aug. 4 or to their polling place on Election Day, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to learn more about the security of absentee voting, to find early voting locations, and to locate the clerk’s office in your jurisdiction.