This year's elections feature nearly every major position within the Michigan political ecosystem. All the seats in the state House and Senate are up for grabs, as well as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and two Michigan Supreme Court positions.
On a federal level, all of Michigan's seats in the House of Representatives will also be decided, along with one of the state's two U.S. Senate seats.
Primary ballots will include candidates for all of the above except for the secretary of state and attorney general, who were selected at their respective party conventions earlier this year.
At the local level, the primaries will feature measures like school bonds, millages, and races for township and municipal positions. The primary serves to select the candidates who will be on the general election ballots in November.
To see what will be on your ballot, you can view a digital copy by visiting the online secretary of state's voting portal.
When are elections?
The 2026 primaries will take place on Tuesday Aug. 4, with the general election set for Nov. 3.
How do I register to vote?
People can register to vote through postmarked mail, their local secretary of state office, and the state's online portal.
If it's two weeks or less until election day registration can only take place at your local county clerk's office. Registration can also happen at your polling location on election day until 8 p.m.
To register to vote you need at least one of the following:
- Your driver's license
- A form of photo ID, including: government, school, military, and tribal
- A document with proof of address and name clearly stated, including: utility bills, paystubs, insurance documents, or bank statements
- Any form of government documentation with name and address clearly stated
Michigan's primaries are not closed. While a person can only vote for a single candidate per category, your registered party has no bearing on who you can vote for.
Where can I vote?
Your specific polling location is determined by the permanent residential address you have registered with the state. This is the address listed on your ID card, driver's license, or the address you gave when registering to vote if you do not have a form of identification.
To find your in-person polling location you can visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website.
Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you are still in line at 8 p.m. and have not yet received your ballot you have the right to stay and vote.
If you are unable to make it to the poll on election day all Michigan voters are eligible to use early in-person locations or submit an absentee ballot without having to be pre-approved.
How do I vote early?
There are many early voting options in Michigan. Whether you go through an early in-person polling location, a mail-in ballot, or filling out an absentee ballot with your county clerk, there are plenty of ways to ensure your vote is counted without having to cast a ballot on election day.
It's Michigan law that local governments provide early in-person voting for nine days leading up to statewide and federal elections.
More information on early voting can be found on the Michigan secretary of state website.
How secure is voting in Michigan?
According to the Michigan Bureau of Elections, voting across Michigan is safe, secure, and limited to United States citizens. The Bureau said "there is no evidence to support claims that large numbers of noncitizens have voted in past elections or are registering to vote."
In a previous discussion with WCMU, Midland County Clerk Ann Manary explained that Michigan's voting process is one of the nation's most secure. She said clerks around the state work diligently checking ballots for inconsistencies.
"And the first thing [clerks] do is verify the name, address, and then they verify your signature," Manary explained. "The signature we use is the same one from when you signed your driver's license at the secretary of state's office, that's the signature we're looking at."
Manary then said if a person is sent an absentee ballot but then decides to vote in person on election day they can either bring the ballot with them or sign an affidavit stating they do not have the absentee ballot and are choosing to vote at the polls, effectively nulling the previous ballot.
"We know exactly if you were sent a ballot, if you returned the ballot, if there was an issue, the computer tells us all of that information," Manary said. "It's going to be very, very difficult for someone to be able to vote absentee and then vote at the polls on Election Day."
Can I see what will be on my ballot ahead of election day?
Using Michigan’s ballot search you can find exactly who will be appear on your local ballot.
Do I need my voter registration card to vote?
Michigan law does not require people to have their voter registration card on hand to cast their vote. However, you will be asked to provide a photo ID. If you do not have a photo ID you will then be asked to sign an affidavit form to receive your ballot. If you do not have an ID and refuse to sign the affidavit, you will be unable to cast a vote.
Similar to absentee ballots, the signature and information on an affidavit is compared and checked with a person's profile on the voter rolls. If there is an inconsistency or a person is marked as voting multiple times, the ballot is removed from the count and it is determined whether legal action is necessary.
When do I need to update my voter registration?
You may need to update your voter registration if:
- You have recently moved to Michigan
- You have recently changed addresses
- You changed your legal name
You can update your registration status at your local clerk’s office or nearby secretary of state office.
Can I vote if I have a felony?
Yes. If you have a felony and are not incarcerated during voting periods you are eligible to vote in Michigan.
How do I know what voting districts I live in?
You can log into Michigan.gov. to see what congressional and legislative districts you live in.
Can I vote if I'm unhoused?
If you do not have a permanent residential address you are still eligible to vote in Michigan. State law allows people to register to vote using a shelter, park, or even the cross section of two streets you regularly stay near.
Does Michigan require employers to give time off for voting?
No. Michigan law does not require employers to offer time off to vote, whether paid or unpaid. If you are unable to make it to the poll on election day it is recommended to utilize one of the alternative absentee options available.
See something suspicious?
Voter intimidation is illegal. Poll watchers and challengers inside the polling location are not allowed to speak to voters in Michigan. Anyone who experiences intimidation should report the infraction to an election worker inside of the polling location or call the Secretary of State's office at 1(866) 687-8683. Examples of violations include voter intimidation, harassment, and coercion.
