August 4 Primary Election: How to Return Your Absentee Ballot as Soon as Possible

Michigan’s August 4 Primary Election is less than two weeks away. If your absentee ballot is still at home or in your possession, complete it and return it right away.

At this point, coalition partners no longer recommend returning absentee ballots by mail for most voters because of possible delivery delays. Instead, voters should return completed ballots directly to their city or township clerk’s office or use a secure drop box in their city or township.

Beginning July 25, voters can also bring their completed absentee ballot to their assigned early voting site and insert it directly into a tabulator.

Most absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s city or township clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day, August 4, to be counted.

Sign your ballot envelope

Before returning your absentee ballot, make sure you sign and date the return envelope.

Use the signature you normally use for your Michigan driver’s license or state ID, or the signature you provided when registering to vote. Election officials compare the signature on the envelope with the signature in your voter record.

A missing or mismatched signature can prevent the ballot from being counted unless the issue is corrected by the deadline.

Ways to return your absentee ballot

You can return your completed and signed absentee ballot:

• In person to your city or township clerk’s office
• To a secure ballot drop box in your city or township
• Beginning July 25, at your assigned early voting site, where you can insert the completed ballot directly into a tabulator.
• At your polling place on Election Day, where you can insert the completed ballot directly into a tabulator, except in Detroit

Detroit voters may bring completed absentee ballots to an assigned early voting site. On Election Day, Detroit absentee ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office or a secure drop box rather than inserted into a tabulator at an Election Day polling place.

Visit mi.gov/vote and select “Your voter information” to find your clerk’s office, secure drop boxes, early voting sites, and Election Day polling place.

Someone else may be able to return your ballot

If you cannot return your absentee ballot yourself, an immediate family member or someone who lives in your household may return the sealed and signed ballot for you.

If neither you nor an eligible person can return it, contact your city or township clerk as soon as possible. Your clerk may be able to help retrieve your ballot. To qualify for clerk pickup, you must contact your clerk by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 31, and your ballot must be located within the city or township where you are registered.

Find your clerk’s phone number and office information at mi.gov/vote.

Track your absentee ballot

You can track your absentee ballot at mi.gov/vote by selecting “Your voter information.”

The tracking information shows when your application was received, when your ballot was sent, and when your completed ballot was received by your clerk.

You can also sign up to receive ballot status notifications by email by selecting “Subscribe to ballot notifications.”

Still need an absentee ballot?

At this point, coalition partners do not recommend applying for an absentee ballot online or by mail because there may not be enough time to receive and return it.

Registered voters can visit their city or township clerk’s office to request, complete, and submit an absentee ballot in person through 4:00 PM on Monday, August 3.

Voters who still need to register or update their address must visit their city or township clerk’s office or satellite office, if their community offers one, with proof of residency. They can register and vote there through 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Different deadline for military and overseas voters

Michigan voters serving in the military or living overseas have a different absentee ballot deadline.

Their ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, August 4, and received by Monday, August 10, to be counted.

Upcoming dates for the August 4 Primary Election

Now: Return completed absentee ballots directly to your clerk’s office or a secure drop box. Voters can also vote in person with an absentee ballot at their city or township clerk’s office.

July 25: Michigan’s statewide in-person early voting period begins. Voters can find their assigned early voting sites, dates, and hours at mi.gov/vote.

July 31 at 5:00 PM: Deadline to contact your clerk if you are unable to return your completed absentee ballot and need clerk assistance. Your ballot must be located within the city or township where you are registered.

August 2: Last day of the mandatory statewide in-person early voting period. Some communities may also offer early voting on Monday, August 3, until 4:00 PM.

August 3 at 4:00 PM: Deadline for voters who are already registered at their current address to request and vote an absentee ballot at their clerk’s office.

August 4: Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Most absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s clerk by 8:00 PM.

Eligible residents can register or update their address at their city or township clerk’s office or satellite office, if their community offers one, with proof of residency through 8:00 PM on Election Day.

Visit mi.gov/vote to check your registration, find your clerk, locate an early voting site or secure drop box, view your sample ballot, and track your absentee ballot.

The post August 4 Primary Election: How to Return Your Absentee Ballot as Soon as Possible appeared first on Voting Access For All.