Four weeks before Election Day, mail ballot returns are up 30% over same point in 2022

Michigan Voting Dashboard is now live with General Election data updated daily

LANSING, Mich. –  With four weeks to go before Election Day on Nov. 3, more than 201,000 Michigan voters have already cast their ballot by mail, secure ballot drop box, or at their local clerk’s office – a 30% increase over the number of ballots returned at this point before the 2022 General Election.  

“Voting by mail is secure, convenient, and the constitutional right of every eligible Michigan voter,” said Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. “With just one month left before Election Day, there’s still time to register to vote and request a mail ballot. If you have already received a mail ballot, be sure to return it by mail, at a ballot drop box, or to your local clerk’s office. Voters who prefer to cast their ballots in person can take advantage of at least nine days of early voting or vote at the polls on Election Day. No matter which voting method you choose, your ballot will be handled securely and counted accurately.” 

As of 7 a.m. today, Oct. 6, a total of 2,047,983 voters have requested a mail (absentee) ballot for the 2026 General Election, including 1,967,830 on the permanent absentee ballot list. 201,909 voters have already returned their ballots, representing 2.7% of Michigan’s active registered voters. Compared to the same time in 2022, mail ballot requests have increased over 27% and ballots returned are up 30%.  

2026 county and municipal ballot request and return data is available on the Michigan Voting Dashboard and will be updated daily with mail ballot and early voting totals between now and the Monday before Election Day. 

A breakdown of 2022 mail ballot numbers by jurisdiction can be downloaded online.  

Despite repeated attempts by the federal government to restrict voting by mail, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Michigan voters can continue to cast mail ballots in the November election. Every Michigan citizen still has the constitutional right to vote by mail, to vote early in person, or to vote on Election Day.  

Voters can track the status of their mail ballot online at mi.gov/trackballot or by calling their city or township election clerk. A ballot must be in a voter’s assigned ballot drop box or received by their clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. 

Voters can also return their mail ballot to their early voting site before Election Day. Early voting sites open statewide on Saturday, Oct. 24, and will be open at least 8 hours every day through Sunday, Nov. 1. Some communities are offering additional early voting days. Look up your early voting sites, days, and times at mi.gov/earlyvoting.  

Visit mi.gov/vote to check your voter registration, request a mail ballot, find your polling places or to learn more about voting in the 2026 General Election.

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