More than 145,000 Michigan voters cast their ballot on the first day of early voting, according to state officials.
In November 2022, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that gave voters the right to vote early and in person at early voting sites.
This is the first general election where Michigan voters had the option to vote at an in-person early voting site. The law makes is so clerks can offer up to 28 days of early voting. The city of Detroit began offering early voting on Oct. 19, and East Lansing and Canton Township began offering early voting on Oct. 21.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said that 145,134 people voted on the state’s first day of early voting, which far exceeded the expectations of state and local officials. At least 12 early voting sites had more than 1,000 voters cast their ballots on Saturday.
“I’m thrilled to see so many enthusiastic Michigan citizens turning out all across the state in record numbers to make their voices heard,” Secretary Benson said. “We’re starting a new tradition of early voting here in Michigan, so we don’t just have Election Day, we have Election Days, and options that let you decide what’s most convenient for you. There’s still time to get out and vote -- vote from home and return your ballot to your clerk’s ballot drop box, vote early any day between now and Sunday, November 3, or come cast your vote on Election Day. No matter which you choose, your vote is secure, and the results will reflect the will of the people.”
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What is the early voting process like?
Early in-person voting works pretty much the same as regular in-person voting does. Voters will be issued a ballot, they will fill it out, and then insert it directly into a tabulator.
How to find your early voting location
You can look up your assigned early voting site up to 60 days before Election Day at Michigan.gov/Vote. Some voters only have one assigned early voting site, and others may have several locations to choose from.
When does early voting end?
Early voting ends on Sunday, Nov. 3.