Michigan’s August Primary Election Day is less than a week away, with many residents already casting their ballots.
Primary Election Day is on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Early voting began on July 25.
Recommended Videos
--> What Michiganders need to know as early voting begins for August primary
If you haven’t voted yet and are still unsure about your registration status, here’s what to know about registering to vote in Michigan:
How can I check my registration status?
To check your voter registration status, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. There you can search your voter information by name or driver’s license.
How do I register to vote?
A voter registration application may be requested in person at a local clerk’s office or a satellite clerk’s office location. The application may be completed on-site and submitted or taken home and submitted later.
Michigan voters must be at least 16 years old, a U.S. citizen, and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison to preregister or register to vote online, by mail, at a self-service station, or at a Secretary of State office no later than two weeks before Election Day. Eligible citizens can register to vote or update their voter registration up to and on Election Day in person at their local clerk’s office.
- Online at Michigan.gov/Vote: Register to vote online with their Michigan driver’s license or state ID number.
- By mail: Download, print, and complete an application to register to vote and return the application to the local clerk’s office. This form is also offered in large print.
- Self-service station: Voter registration is offered when completing a transaction at Secretary of State self-service stations across Michigan. Locate a self-service station at miselfservicestation.com.
- At a Secretary of State office: Eligible citizens will be registered to vote automatically anytime they complete a Michigan driver’s license or ID transaction.
- At the local clerk’s office: To locate your local clerk’s office, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.
Several state agencies and military recruitment centers also provide voter registration services.
What do I need to register to vote?
You must provide proof of residency if you are registering within 14 days of an election.
Proof of residency includes the following:
- Michigan driver’s license, state ID or U.S. Passport
- A utility bill
- Insurance documents
- Bank or credit card statement
- Financial aid or school enrollment documents
- A lease agreement
- A paycheck or other government check
- Other government document
You will be asked for a photo ID when registering to vote in person. If you don’t have one, you can sign a form called an affidavit and then register to vote.
Applications must be received by, or postmarked as sent to your local clerk’s office at least 15 days before Election Day in order to be processed in time for the next election. Within 14 days of an election, voters must submit a voter registration application in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk’s office.
When can I vote on primary election day?
The polls open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and close at 8 p.m.
Voters in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day have the right to register to vote in person at their local clerk’s office.
Where do I vote on primary election day?
To find your polling location, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. You can also find information about your registration status, track your absentee ballot and more.
How do I see a sample ballot for the 2026 primary election?
To see your sample ballot for the 2026 August primary election, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Can I vote a “split” ticket in the August primary election?
No. Michigan voters can only vote in one party column and cannot “split” their ticket, meaning to vote in more than one party column, if voting in a presidential or statewide primary.
Voters can “split” their ticket in the November general election. Michigan voters also have the option to vote straight-ticket by selecting the option on the side of their ballot with partisan races. Voting straight ticket does not automatically include selections on the non-partisan side of the ballot.
Do I need to vote the entire ballot?
Michigan voters are not required to vote the entire ballot. You can choose the races or ballot questions you want to vote on. Skipping sections on the ballot does not invalidate your ballot.