PRESS RELEASE
MICHIGAN’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN
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LANSING – With less than four weeks to go before Michigan’s primary election day, more than 1.5 million voters in the state have already requested a mail-in ballot, and more than 178,000 voters have already submitted a completed ballot – breaking the previous record 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 had the highest voter turnout in Michigan history. It’s exciting to see that we’re on track to surpass those high turnout numbers in 2024, and even more exciting to see voters getting involved early in such large numbers and making sure their voices are heard.”
“No matter where you live or who you vote for, Michigan’s nonpartisan, professional poll workers are ready to conduct safe elections so every citizen’s voice is heard.”
As of July 9, a total of 1,518,665 Michigan residents have requested a mail-in ballot or received one after registering on the permanent absentee ballot list. That’s 157,833 more than the number who requested a mail-in ballot at the same time before the August 2020 primary.
So far this summer, 178,931 voters have completed and returned their mail-in ballots for the primary election for counting—67,917 more than at the same time in 2020. A breakdown by precinct is available online.
Michigan does not register voters by party, but state law requires that voters may only vote for candidates of one party in the primary election. Votes for candidates of multiple parties on the same ballot are not counted.
Voters can check the status of their absentee ballot application or ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting their local election official. Voters who have already received an absentee ballot should immediately fill it out, sign the back of the envelope and mail it or drop it off at their official’s office or in a designated drop box.
Eligible Michigan residents can register to vote online or by mail through Monday, July 22. Alternatively, they can register in person at their local voter’s office with proof of residency until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
To cast their ballot in person, voters can go to an early voting location in their precinct from July 27 to August 4, or to their polling place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, August 6.
Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to learn more about mail-in voting security, find early voting locations, and locate the ballot holder’s office in your jurisdiction.
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