Your Guide To Michigan's 2018 Primary Election

MICHIGAN — Michigan’s primary election is quickly approaching, where locals will choose a new governor, vote on millage proposals and choose state and U.S. representatives for Congress. Patch wants to make sure you’re covered with everything you need to be prepared to cast your vote on Aug. 7.

Here’s your guide to the Michigan primary election:

Elections in Michigan

What's with the primary election, anyway? According to Ballotpedia, it's 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.

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 this year:

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

Resources

• Polling locations: Some precincts around the region have changed this year. Be sure to check your local polling location before election day. You can do that here.
• Ballot systems: 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.
• Ballot items: Wondering what to expect on your ballot on Election Day? Check out your city’s sample ballot here.
• Candidates: Need to know who is running against who? Find a list of all the candidates and positions here.
• Voter status: If you need to make sure you’re one of Michigan's 7 million registered voters, verify your registration status here.

Absentee Ballots

The deadline for absentee ballots is approaching. 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.

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