LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The upcoming elections could look a little different in Michigan.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that all registered voters will receive an application to vote by mail in the August and November elections.
This comes after the May 5th election was done through absentee voting due to the coronavirus pandemic. It saw a record-breaking turnout with nearly 25% of eligible voters casting ballots and 99% of them doing so by mail or by putting them in a local ballot drop box.
In a written statement, Benson said, “By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote. Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”
7.7 million Michiganders are registered to vote and about 1.3 million of them are on the permanent absent voter list. That means their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election.
Following the May election, Benson stated that even during this time of uncertainty she can be certain that the primary and general elections will happen “on time and on schedule.” At the time she said they still plan on having normal polling places open for the upcoming elections. It’s unclear if that has changed.
“The vast majority of voters across the political spectrum want the option to vote by mail,” said Benson. “Mailing applications to all registered voters is one of the ways that we are ensuring Michigan’s elections will continue to be safe, accurate and secure.”
At any time, voters can still go to michigan.gov/vote to request an application to vote by mail.
