LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Nearly 2 million Michigan citizens have requested absentee ballots ahead of next week’s November 8 election and 1.1 million voters have already submitted their absentee ballot.
Voting officials say this marks a 73% increase from the number of absentee ballots requested one week ahead of the 2018 midterm election.
With one week to go until Election Day, they say voters who have received but not yet returned their absentee ballot should hand deliver it to their clerk’s office or secure local drop box. They warn also to avoid possible U.S. Postal Service delays, mailing ballots this close to Election Day is not recommended.
All ballots must be received at clerk offices or drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Election Day or they will not be counted, and voters must bring their ballot to a drop box in their jurisdiction.
Drop box locations can be found at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters can also track their absentee ballot online at that website as well.
A breakdown of absentee ballot numbers by jurisdiction can be downloaded online.
Eligible citizens who have not yet registered to vote can still do so in person at their local clerk’s office with proof of residency now through 8 p.m. on Election Day, and they can apply for and submit an absentee ballot in the same trip.
Registered voters can request, fill out, and submit an absentee ballot in one visit to their local clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on Monday, November 7.
Michigan law requires city and township clerk offices to be open a minimum of eight hours the weekend before Election Day. Clerk office locations, hours and contact information can be found at Michigan.gov/Vote.
Polls will be open for in-person voting from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 8.
