DETROIT – The November election is less than three weeks away and Saturday marked the first day of in-person early voting in Detroit.
So far, over a million Michiganders have voted by absentee ballot with more than two million people who have requested their ballots, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
For every person who believes their vote doesn’t count, voter Jacqueline Canty disagrees with the sentiment.
“Do what’s right,” she said. “Continue to vote, because it will make a difference.”
In addition to who’s on the ballot, Ida Abbington is worried about the issues.
“Integrity and character,” Abbington said. “The abortion rights and community. [I want] someone who’s willing to work with the community and are not out for themselves.”
Detroiters began their Saturday morning at the Northwest Activity Center early voting site.
It’s one of several voting locations and will be available during 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will remain open until Nov. 3.
This marks the first time there has been early voting for presidential election since the law was passed in 2022.
“Detroit has 16 days of early voting at 14 early voting centers across the city and voters can pick the one most convenient to them,” said Matt Friedman, a spokesperson for the non-partisan voter information campaign Detroit Votes.
The option allows people to avoid the long lines seen at polling precincts on Election Day.
Voters also can see their ballot enter a tabulator and know their voices will be heard.
“I want to make sure my ballot counts,” Canty said.
---> Early voting begins Saturday in Detroit for Nov. 5 election: What to know
Detroit’s early voting locations
Early voting locations for the City of Detroit include:
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval
- Department of Elections, 2978 W. Grand Blvd
- Clark Park, 1130 Clark
- City Clerk Office, 2 Woodward Ave.
- Christ Temple Baptist Church, 10628 Plymouth Rd.
- Adams Butzel Recreation Complex, 10500 Lyndon
- Palmer Park Community Center, 1121 Merrill Plaisance St.
- WCCCD Eastern Campus, 5901 Conner
- Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd.
- Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E Outer Dr.
- WCCCD Northwest, 8200 W. Outer Dr.
- Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St.
- Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Crusade
- Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd.
When does early voting start in other cities?
Canton Township and East Lansing voters can begin voting early on Monday, Oct. 21.
Early voting in the rest of the state begins on Saturday, Oct. 26.
When does early voting end?
Early voting ends on Sunday, Nov. 3.
What is the early voting process like?
When you go to vote early, you will be issued a ballot and you will insert the ballot directly into a tabulator, just like you would on Election Day.