Michigan primary election: February 27, 2024

January 21, 2024

Voter information is available on the MI Secretary of State Website. The Republican primary election is more contested this year than the Democratic primary and a bit more complicated. You can read about that here.

Register to vote: You can register to vote on-line up to 14 days before the election. After that, for this election, you can register in person up until and on Election Day at your city or township clerk’s office. Michigan does not register voters by party affiliation. When you vote in a primary election, you need to pick a ballot for one party with the names of candidates running on that party’s ticket.

To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

   •    A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)
    •    A United States citizen
    •    At least 18 years of age (when you vote)
    •    Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

Proof of residency:

You must show proof of where you live. Documents must have your name and current address. You can show a digital copy of documents. Acceptable documents include:
    •    Michigan driver’s license or state ID
    •    Current utility bill
    •    Bank statement
    •    Paycheck or government check
    •    Other government document

Absentee Voting:

From the SOS Website: “All registered voters in Michigan can now vote using what’s called an absentee ballot. You don’t need an excuse or a reason. You can vote by absentee ballot through the mail, without leaving your home. You can also go to your city or township clerk’s office or drop box to return your absentee ballot, which we recommend if you are returning a ballot within two weeks of election day, in order to avoid possible postal delays.”

From the Detroit Free Press, “Michigan presidential primary 2024: Election Day date, how to vote, candidates” by Arpan Lobo, 1/17/24:

...Key dates, deadlines for Michigan presidential primary

While the primary day itself is Tuesday, Feb. 27, Michigan also has early voting and absentee voting. Here are some key dates to know for the presidential primary:
    •    Sunday, Jan. 28: Communities may begin allowing early voting. Michigan election law requires communities to hold at least nine days of early in-person voting, but communities can choose to hold up to 29 days of early voting. To find out your community's early voting schedule, contact your local clerk's office, which can be found online at the Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote.
    •    Monday, Feb. 12: Deadline to register to vote online or by mail and be eligible to vote in the Tuesday, Feb. 27, presidential primary.
    •    Tuesday, Feb. 13: On this day and afterward, people registering to vote in the presidential primary must do so in person at a local clerk's office with proof of residency.
    •    Saturday, Feb. 17: Communities must begin allowing early voting.
    •    Friday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m.: Deadline to request an absentee ballot online or through the mail.
    •    Sunday, Feb. 25: Last day of early voting.
    •    Monday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m.: Deadline to request an absentee ballot in person at a local clerk's office.
    •    Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Election Day! Polls are open. Voters can also obtain absentee ballots at their local clerk's office until polls close, but only if they are registering to vote or updating their voter registration address.

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More information is available on the MI Secretary of State Website