Important dates for voters this election season

(FOX 2) – With only 50 days until the next presidential election, the campaign will not slow down ahead of another major race.

Between applying for mail-in ballots, early voting dates, and the final deadline to register to vote, there’s a lot for citizens to keep track of – especially in Michigan, which will be at the center of the campaign heat leading up to Election Day.

Michigan has significantly expanded voting opportunities over the past two years, which is expected to reduce the burden on officials and volunteers on Election Day.

Most election information can be found on the Michigan Secretary of State’s website, which also includes information on registering and tracking absentee ballots.

When is the election?

The most important date for voters to remember is November 5. This is the day the general election will take place and voters can cast their ballots at the voter registration office.

The polling stations are open between 7 and 8 p.m.

November 5 is also the deadline for registering to vote for the 2024 presidential candidate – as well as for voting by emergency mail-in ballot.

When is early voting?

Early voting is a relatively new practice in Michigan, and was first made available to all voters in the August primary election.

Early voting can begin no earlier than October 7. However, municipalities and cities are required to offer early voting by October 26. The last day for early voting is November 3, the weekend before Election Day.

What about postal voting?

Thanks to a 2018 ballot proposal that extended this option to all voters, regardless of reason, postal voting is now available to all voters.

Registration is already online. Information on how to apply for a postal vote can be found at You can find the FOX 2 guide hereThe first day clerks can mail a mail-in ballot is September 26.

If a voter wishes to invalidate their mail-in ballot and receive a new one, they must do so by mail or in person by October 25. Clerks have until October 31 to review or reject all requests for mail-in ballots.

November 1 is the deadline for voters who lost their absentee ballot or never received it in the mail to request that their ballot be invalidated and receive a new one.

When can postal votes be counted?

Some cities with at least 5,000 residents can begin processing postal votes as early as October 28. All other municipalities can begin counting postal votes on November 4.

After election day

Although ballots cannot be cast after Election Day, the Secretary of State says some votes can still be counted if they were postmarked on or before Election Day.

These are only ballots from military personnel and voters overseas (MOVE). The deadline for all ballots to be counted is November 11.

District electoral committees

The first round of election certification takes place at the county level. County election committees must complete their review of local elections by November 19.

State Election Officials

The final body to consider the election results is the Michigan Board of State Canvassers, which meets on November 25 to certify the election.