Voters ready to physically cast their ballots in Michigan’s Feb. 27 presidential primary can do so starting Saturday.
Because of the passage of Proposal 2 in 2022, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing implementation measures last year, Michigan voters now have at least nine days of in-person early voting before Election Day in both federal and statewide elections starting with this month’s primary.
That process begins Saturday as early voting sites will open daily through Sunday, Feb. 25. Similar to election day polling places, voters at early voting sites will walk in, receive a ballot, mark the ballot and enter it into the tabulator. While the ballot will be pre-processed, it will not be counted until Election Day.
However, because a voter’s early voting site may not be the same as their regular polling place, they are encouraged to go to Michigan.gov/EarlyVoting for the correct location and hours of operation.
Michigan joins 21 other states in offering an early voting option, which Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a release built on the legacy of former Secretary of State Richard H. Austin, a Democrat, who served in that role for 24 years, from 1971 to 1995. He died in 2001.
“Richard Austin was a trailblazer for voting rights and a pioneer in bringing Motor Voter programs first to our state and then nationwide,” Benson said. “We are honored to have his family here with us today as we build on that legacy and launch in-person early voting in Michigan.”
Austin’s niece, Laurie Moore, noted her uncle’s efforts to pass Michigan’s Motor Voter law in 1975, which allowed those applying for a driver’s license to simultaneously register to vote. It would be almost 18 years before Congress adopted a similar measure nationwide.
“Fast forward to 2024 and it is inspiring to see Michigan embracing new options for voters, making voting more accessible and convenient,” said Moore. “Our family and the Michigan Department of State carry his legacy of free and fair elections for every voter no matter where they live or who they vote for.”
Michigan’s early voting system was given a test run last November when several clerks with local elections in their jurisdictions volunteered to participate in an early voting pilot. Officials say it allowed the state Bureau of Elections, as well as the participating clerks, to test the early voting technology, evaluate additional needs for the Feb. 27 presidential primary, and help familiarize voters and election workers with the process.
One of those participating in the trial was Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark.
“We were honored to participate in the early voting pilot as it provided us with an opportunity to be part of the development of an exciting new voting option in Michigan,” said Clark. “You can only identify potential challenges by actually executing the process in real time. The pilot allowed that to happen and ultimately created a great, functional process.”
Additional information about registering to vote, returning absentee ballots, and voting on Election Day is available at Michigan.gov/Vote.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX