Your Guide To Michigan's August 2018 Election

MICHIGAN — Election season is approaching in Michigan and Patch has got you covered for all the essential information you need to know to cast your ballot in this August's primary election. With controversy swarming about hot topics in Michigan like immigration, environmental protection and education funding, it's never been more important to make your voice heard. Here's what you need to know.

How to vote in August

The deadline to register to vote in August has passed. There's more than 7 million registered voters in Michigan; verify your registration status here.

What's with the primary election, anyway?

According to Ballotpedia, a primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election, which for Michigan is in November. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Michigan utilizes an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.

Mark you calendars for the following dates:

Statewide election dates

• August 7, 2018: Primary election
• November 6, 2018: General election
• Polling hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in both elections.

Absentee Ballots

Plan to cast an absentee ballot this August? If you will be out of town or cannot physically make it to your local polling location, you have until 2 p.m. Aug. 4 to submit an application by mail to your local clerk's office to request an absentee ballot.

If you will be out of town on Tuesday, August 7, or simply cannot make it to your local polling place, you have until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, to submit an application, by mail, to your local clerk's office to request an absentee ballot. The deadline to vote absentee in person at your local clerk's office is 4 p.m. Aug. 6.

A registered voter may obtain an absent voter ballot if they are:

• Age 60 years old or older
• Unable to vote without assistance at the polls
• Expecting to be out of town on election day
• In jail awaiting arraignment or trial
• Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
• Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

Click here for all the information on absentee ballots for the state of Michigan.

Other things to note

Some precincts around the region have changed this year. Be sure to check your local polling location before election day.

This election day voters across Michigan will use a "next-generation" ballot system to submit their votes. Voting will still be done on paper with ink, but new equipment means the system is more secure. Read more about the new equipment here.

Wondering what to expect in August? Check out a sample ballot here before you go to vote.

Finally, a list of all the candidates and positions here.

Image via Shutterstock

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