Ready or not, Michigan’s state primary election is just around the corner. Though an August 6th election may feel blissfully far away, absentee ballots become available on Thursday, June 27. So whether you are a first-time voter or an old pro, here are some things to know about the August primary.
The Basics
There are two ways to vote in the state primary: in person or by absentee ballot. As always, voters using an absentee ballot do not need to visit a polling location. You can request an absentee ballot online, in person at your clerk’s office, or by sending the application through the mail. You can then return your completed ballot through the mail, by visiting the clerk’s office in person, or by dropping it in the secured, 24-hour, drop box provided by your clerk. You can find your clerk’s office on this State of Michigan webpage.
Voting in person does require a visit to your assigned polling station. New in 2024, people can vote in person starting nine days before Election Day and it’s called early voting. For the August election, early voting starts on Saturday, July 27th, and runs through Sunday, August 4th. Polling sites for early voting may differ from Election Day polling sites so it’s important to know where to go. Michigan residents can check their polling locations and hours, verify they’re registered to vote, and preview their actual ballot on this State of Michigan webpage.
No matter how you plan to cast your ballot, you must first be registered to vote in the State of Michigan. To be eligible, a Michigan resident must be a US citizen, a resident of Michigan for at least 30 days before Election Day, and be 18 years of age by Election Day. Eligible applicants can register to vote in person by visiting their clerk’s office during open hours any day before and including Election Day. Some voters can also register online or by mail. You can confirm your existing voter registration or learn how to get registered on this State of Michigan webpage.
Proposals
All Washtenaw County primary voters will have at least three proposals on their primary ballot. Those proposals are related to funding road and path repair and maintenance, funding the Parks and Recreation Department’s programs and facilities, and funding the conservation district. Voters can read the final ballot language for all of the proposals on this Washtenaw County webpage.
Voters in the City of Saline will have one additional ballot measure related to changing residency requirements for elected officials and committee appointees. Saline Township voters will have one additional proposal related to funding maintenance for township roads and Bridgewater Township voters will be asked about funding for their fire services.
There are also additional ballot measures for voters in Scio Township, York Township, Webster Township, Stockbridge Community School District, Whitmore Lake Public School District, and the Manchester Library District. If you’re already registered to vote, you can see your entire ballot, including the final language of any ballot proposals in your district, by looking up your voter information on this State of Michigan webpage.
Partisan Candidates
In Michigan’s primary election, voters choose which candidate they would like to represent their party in the November general election. Voters cannot vote for both Democratic and Republican candidates. Elected offices in the upcoming primary include US Senator, US and State Congressional Representatives, County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Commissioners and Supervisors, Clerks, Treasurers, and Trustees of the townships. You can see the full list of partisan candidates running in the primary election on this Washtenaw County webpage.
Participating in primary elections is an important way to help shape the future of your community. Your vote not only determines who will represent your values and priorities in the general election but also influences the future direction of policy within your party. Make sure to be a part of the decision-making process by voting in the upcoming primary election.