by Scott McClallen
Days before Tuesday’s primary election, more than 700,000 Michiganders have already cast a ballot thanks to new voting laws.
More than 18,000 votes were cast in the first three days of in-person early voting statewide over the holiday weekend.
Democrats will choose between President Joe Biden, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, author Marianne Williamson or a write-in option.
On the Republican ticket are former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Five other names are listed but all have dropped out.
As voters head to the polls, the Michigan GOP has split into factions. In January, the GOP ousted former Chair Kristin Karamo, who is suing the former GOP chairs to sell a headquarters because the party is broke.
In a court battle, Karamo claims she is still the party chair – a nod to her 2020 election fraud claims – but the National GOP recognized former Congressman Pete Hoekstra as the current chair.
In November 2022, Republicans lost the Michigan House and the Senate for the first time in 40 years. Democrats used their political trifecta to move the primary to February to give the state a bigger role in the presidential election.
This is the first statewide election with a constitutionally guaranteed minimum of nine days of in-person early voting as approved by Michigan voters in 2022 under Proposal 2.
In-person early voting continues through Sunday.
Voters who have received but not yet returned an absentee ballot should hand deliver it to an official ballot drop box, their clerk’s office or an early voting site in their jurisdiction. Mailing ballots this close to election day is not recommended. All absentee ballots must be received at clerk’s offices or drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Tuesday or they will not be counted.
Voters must bring their ballot to a drop box or early voting site in their jurisdiction.
Michiganders who are eligible to vote but not yet registered can do so in person at your local clerk’s office with proof of residency now through 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Check your registration, track your absentee ballot, and find your polling place at Michigan.gov/Vote.
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.
