Michigan residents: July 22 last day to register online, by mail to vote in August primary

Today is the last day for Michiganders to register online or by mail to vote in the state’s Aug. 6 primary election. Eligible residents can still register to vote in person through Election Day.

Michigan requires residents to be 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens in order to vote, and not currently serving a jail or prison sentence. For Michigan residents unsure of their registration status, the state’s online election portal offers an easy way to check:

1. Visit the Michigan voter information portal.
2. Choose from several different methods of identity verification.
3. View your registration status, see your polling place location and hours, take a look at a sample ballot, and more.

The primary election will determine which candidates for U.S. Senate, congressional, state House and some local races for each party participate in the general election in November.

Election rules vary widely by state, especially when it comes to primaries. In Michigan, primaries are open — meaning that voters choose which party's candidates to vote for on Election Day, but that is private and does not register them with that party. But voters must vote for primary candidates in only one party: Tickets in which a voter selects candidates from both party columns are not allowed.

To register online, Michigan residents who have verified their eligibility can go to https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/registervoter and fill out an application by today, July 22. For mail-in registration, Michiganders can download an application online or pick one up at any clerk’s office and mail or scan and email the completed form to their local clerk today.

For in-person registration, you must bring proof of residency: Government-issued documents, like a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, current utility bills or bank statements are all accepted. Either physical or digital copies work. Registration is accepted at your local clerk’s office at any time up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Carmela Guaglianone is a Dow Jones News Fund data intern with the Detroit Free Press. Reach her at cguaglianone@freepress.com.