Two weeks before August Primary Election, Michigan voters choosing mail ballots at record pace; requests up 68.5% over same point in 2022

MDOS relaunches Michigan Voting Dashboard for up-to-date election data

LANSING, Mich. – With two weeks left before the Aug. 4 Primary Election, 572,553 Michigan voters have already cast their ballot, according to data publicly available on the relaunched Michigan Voting Dashboard. Voter requests for mail ballots and the number of completed ballots returned are significantly higher than the same time in the 2022 midterm primary.

“Michiganders are voting by mail in tremendous numbers – demonstrating their support for this voting option,” said Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. “Voters know mail ballots are convenient, accessible, and that they can track their ballot to make sure it was received. As clerks throughout the state prepare to open early voting sites this Saturday, it’s clear that Michiganders are enthusiastic and engaged, which is why our state has broken turnout records in the last three statewide elections.”

As of 7 a.m. today, July 21, a total of 1,967,288 voters has requested a mail (absentee) ballot for the Primary Election, including 1,915,564 on the permanent mail ballot list, and 572,553 voters have returned their completed ballot by mail, drop box, or to their clerk’s office. Compared to the same time in 2022, mail ballot requests have increased 68.5% and ballots returned are up 43.6%. Nearly 8% of Michigan’s active registered voters have already cast their ballot.

“It’s exciting to see more Canton voters taking advantage of Michigan’s permanent absentee ballot list,” said Michael Siegrist, Canton Township Clerk. “Requests have increased by more than 26% in two years, growing from 20,008 to 25,282 sent ballots. That increase reflects the convenience and confidence voters have in this option. At this point, 30% of those ballots mailed out have been returned; a strong sign of voter participation. We’re grateful to everyone who has already cast their ballot, are working toward receiving the remaining absentee ballots still in voter’s hands, and working to welcome voters for early voting, which begins in Canton Township in just four days.”

Michigan Voting Dashboard

The Michigan Voting Dashboard is an interactive tool that gives the public, media, and election officials immediate access to voting data with a specific focus on absentee and early voting metrics. The dashboard is available in desktop and mobile format at mi.gov/votingdashboard.

Data on the dashboard is updated daily and is pulled from the state’s Qualified Voter File (QVF), the secure database of voters used by the Michigan Bureau of Elections and more than 1,600 election clerks throughout the state. The dashboard reports the number of mail ballots requested by voters, the number of ballots completed and returned to be counted on Election Day, and the number of ballots cast at early voting sites.

The dashboard will not display information about individual voters to protect their right to ballot secrecy. Voters and the media should still rely on the county clerk websites for updated unofficial results after the polls close on Election Day. Election Day turnout stats will not be complete until all jurisdictions upload their Election Day electronic pollbook data into QVF.

Returning ballots

To avoid postal delays, voters with a mail ballot should hand deliver it in its signed and sealed envelope to their local clerk’s office or secure ballot drop box. Voters can also bring their ballot to an early voting site before Election Day. Ballots must be received by clerks no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

In-person early voting

Early voting sites open Saturday, July 25 and will be open at least 8 hours every day through Sunday, Aug. 2. Look up your early voting sites and times at  mi.gov/earlyvoting . 

Voter registration

Eligible Michiganders who still need to register to vote in the Primary Election must now do so in person at their local clerk’s office. Under Michigan law, online and mail registration are not permitted within 14 days of an election.

Voters can visit mi.gov/vote to check their voter registration, track their mail ballot, and find their early voting sites and drop boxes.

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