ABSENT VOTER

While absent voter ballots provide a safe alternative to voting in person at the polls on Election Day, the process of counting absent voter ballots can determine how quickly, or not, final election results are announced. Processing absent voter ballots in MichiganThe process for counting absent voter ballots is different in each state. In Michigan, election workers are not allowed to begin processing absent voter ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day. The previous record for absent voter ballots cast in a Michigan election was 1.3 million in the 2016 Presidential Election. Polling precincts will still be open for Michigan voters from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. A number of Michigan representatives are holding a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to address issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS) related to mail-in voting amid national controversy. Representative Brenda Lawrence, of the states 14th congressional district, will lead a discussion to bring awareness to the Trump administrations efforts to attack the United States Postal Service, sabotage the upcoming election, and undermine our democracy, an announcement reads. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting; they just cant have it.Mail-in voting, or voting absentee, has become a popular voting method throughout the U.S. amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Earlier Sunday, Democratic lawmakers demanded that leaders of the Postal Service testify at an emergency oversight hearing Aug. 24 on mail delays. More: Q&A: Whats happening at the US Postal Service, and why?

LANSING, Mich. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Wednesday that voters are encouraged to drop off their absent voter ballots in person as the Michigan Primary Election approaches on Aug. 4. As of 2018 Michigan voters now have the option to vote by mail for no reason using absentee ballots -- and a significant number of Michigan voters are choosing to do so amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. READ: Voting by mail in Aug. 4 Michigan Primary Election: What to knowAs the Aug. 4 election approaches, officials say it is a good idea to return Michigan absentee ballots in person rather than by mail. If you have not yet mailed in your completed Michigan Primary Election absentee ballot, you are encouraged to deliver it to your local clerks office on or before Aug. 4. In-person voting will still be available for the 2020 Michigan Primary Election on Aug. 4, even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.