Election 2024: Michigan's early voting and absentee ballots: What to know

LANSING — Voting in the 2024 August primary has already begun.

While local clerks don't expect turnout to approach the interest of the presidential election in November, many races on a local level will be decided in August, both in the Lansing area and across Michigan.

Local clerks mailed absentee ballots to residents on the permanent absentee voting list on June 27 and, for the first time in Michigan, people can vote early, beginning in late July.

Here's what you need to know about how to register to vote and cast a ballot in the Aug. 6 primary. Wondering what's on your ballot? We have a complete list of candidates and ballot issues for Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.

Don’t spoil your ballot

The top issue on many clerks' minds is reminding residents that voting in a primary is different than a general election. Voters in primary elections in Michigan cannot “split their ballot,” or vote for candidates from more than one party. So on an Ingham County ballot, for example, a voter who selects Elissa Slotkin, a Holly Democrat, for U.S. Senate but votes for Republican Tom Barrett, of Charlotte, for U.S. House would spoil their ballot.

It’s not a new issue in Michigan but is particularly important given the rise in no-reason absentee voting. Voters who split their ballot while voting in person can expect the ballot to be rejected by the electronic tabulating machine into which they feed their ballot, have their error pointed out to them and be able to cast another ballot. However, voters who split a ballot and mail it in or leave it in a drop box may or may not have a chance to recast a correct ballot, depending on whether staff at their local clerk’s office can reach them in time before the election. Any non-partisan votes on the spoiled ballot would be counted, such as local judicial races or ballot issues, but no partisan votes would be recorded.

“August primaries are unique in Michigan because you must ‘Stay In Your Lane,’” Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said. “Both parties’ candidates appear on one ballot, so you will not need to select a ballot style. That means you can choose to vote for either Democratic candidates or Republican candidates, but you cannot cross over and vote for some Democrats and some Republicans. If you do, the partisan section of your ballot will be considered blank and only the non-partisan sections will be counted.”

More: Lansing area 2024 voter guide: Ingham, Eaton and Clinton ballots at a glance

I’m not registered to vote. Do I still have time?

You can register to vote up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office. You must show proof of residence with documents that have your name and current address. Acceptable documents include a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check or other government document. Digital copies of documents are acceptable, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

You can also register at any secretary of state branch office or online. Your voter registration application must be received or postmarked at least 15 days before the election. You can register online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/RegisterVoter/Index.

Can I vote in person before election day?

Yes. For the first time, Michigan voters will have early voting because of a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Local clerks must provide a minimum of nine days of early voting for the August primary, although communities may offer additional days. The process is very similar to voting on election day, in that you will receive a ballot, fill it out and then insert it into a tabulating machine. The early voting period begins the second Saturday prior to Election Day, which this year is July 27, and ends the Sunday before an election, Aug. 4. Under state law, communities can offer up to 29 days of early voting, according to Michigan election officials. You find more information on early voting sites by calling your local clerk or going to https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/.

How do I vote absentee?

Anyone registered to vote can vote absentee because in 2018 Michigan voters approved no-reason absentee voting. Also, in 2022, voters were also allowed to sign up for their county’s permanent mail ballot list. In Ingham County, more than 51,000 voters chose that option.

Clerks began sending absentee ballots on June 27, so voting has already begun. If you are not on the permanent list, you can request a ballot online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/AVApplication/Index up to the Friday before election day or call or visit your local clerk’s office to obtain a ballot. Once you have voted, you can mail in your ballot, place it in a voting drop box in your community or turn it in in person up to 8 p.m. on election day. Local clerks and election officials recommend that any ballot submitted within two weeks of the election be delivered in person.

Can I track my ballot?

Yes. The Michigan Secretary of State offers a tracking system at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index.

Can I change my vote if I already submitted my ballot?

Yes, depending on when you do it. Sometimes candidates drop out of a race or voters have a change of mind. You can spoil your ballot by giving your local clerk a written request, which you will be required to sign. You must make the request by 5 p.m. on the second Friday before the election if you have returned your absentee ballot, which this year is July 26. There is no option during the mandatory early voting period or on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk. An absentee ballot that has not been returned to your local clerk may be spoiled in person at your clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on the Monday prior the election, which this year is Aug. 5. And, if you have not returned your absentee ballot, you can bring it to a poll during early voting or on election day and either surrender the ballot or sign a statement that it was lost or destroyed and vote in person.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Election 2024: Michigan's early voting and absentee ballots: What to know