More than 1M Michiganders have cast ballots during early voting

Polling station in East Lansing, Feb. 25, 2024 | Susan J. Demas

Polls are now open for Tuesday’s election, but already more than 1 million ballots have been cast during early voting, according to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Michiganders had nine days of early in-person voting that ended on Sunday as part of voter-approved reforms to election law passed in November 2022. A total of 73,531 voters cast ballots at early voting locations, Benson’s office said in a news release Monday.

In addition to those who cast their votes at early voter sites, 970,041 voters submitted absentee ballots to their local clerk’s office, totalling more than 1 million ballots already received by election officials, the news release said.

“We’ve heard from many voters who appreciate having convenient early options to participate in our elections and it’s great to see people engaged in the process,” Benson said. “As always, I’m grateful to Michigan’s clerks and poll workers, who ensured a secure and smooth early voting process throughout the state.”

About 1.6 million absentee ballots were requested for the primary, according to Benson’s office.

The Secretary of State’s office recommends those who have yet to submit their absentee ballot not to mail them, but instead either hand deliver to their local clerk Tuesday or drop the ballot in an official ballot drop box in their jurisdiction before 8 p.m.

Michigan allows same-day voter registration, so eligible voters can go to their local clerk’s office and register to vote Tuesday and cast their ballot.

Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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