LANSING, Mich. – With less than 24 hours before the polls open on Election Day, more than 2.3 million Michigan voters have already cast their ballot for the General Election – a turnout rate of 31.2% of the state’s 7.42 million active registered voters. Over 743,000 Michigan citizens voted in person at an early voting site, and more than 1.5 million voters have submitted a mail (absentee) ballot.     

“Election Day is right around the corner,” said Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie. “Thousands of poll workers and local election officials are ready to serve you and provide a smooth, secure voting experience for all Michigan voters. If you were not one of the over 2 million voters who already cast a ballot, be sure to check your polling location at mi.gov/vote and come out to vote on Election Day.” 

At the close of the nine-day statewide early voting period on Sunday, Nov. 1, a total of 743,450 voters had cast a ballot at an early voting site. The highest turnout day was Sunday, with 114,420 ballots cast.  

As of 7 a.m. today, Nov. 2, a total of 1,569,715 voters have returned their mail (absentee) ballot by mail, drop box, or to their clerk’s office. A total of 2,174,646 Michigan voters have requested a mail ballot, including 2,023,195 on the permanent mail ballot list.  

Some communities still have early voting sites open today, Monday, Nov. 2. until 4 p.m. – check mi.gov/earlyvoting to verify locations and hours.

Voters should not mail ballots this close to Election Day. If you have received but not yet returned your absentee ballot, return it to an official ballot drop box in your jurisdiction or hand deliver it to your local clerk’s office. You can also bring your mail ballot with you to your polling site on Election Day. With the exception of military and overseas voters, all absentee ballots must be received by clerk’s offices or drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Election Day or they will not be counted. Visit mi.gov/trackballot to check the status of your returned mail ballot.

Eligible Michigan citizens can still register to vote in person today and on Election Day at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. Voters can register and cast a ballot on the same day.

Polling places will be open tomorrow, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. As long as voters are in line by 8 p.m., they will be able to vote. Voters who see or experience intimidation or interference at the polls should immediately inform their local clerk and call the National Voter Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Once the polls close at 8 p.m. unofficial results may take time. Local election officials may have large numbers of mail ballots returned on Election Day that must pass signature verification, be processed, and tabulated. Large cities including Detroit have absentee ballot counting boards, and ballots must be transported from drop boxes to the clerk’s office for signature verification and then transported to the counting board to be tabulated. Election officials will always prioritize accuracy over speed when counting ballots. Voters and the media should rely on the county clerk websites for the most up-to-date unofficial results as the votes are counted after polls close on Election night.  

To find polling places, review your sample ballot, verify registration status, and more visit mi.gov/vote.