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Michigan elections 2024: Key dates, last day to register to vote

Vote here sign placed on the walkway to a neighborhood polling place
(iStock photo by Jillian Cain)
  • Michigan’s Aug. 6 primary will be followed by the Nov. 5 general election
  • New this year: A guaranteed nine days of early voting statewide, wider access to absentee ballots
  • The process of electing president and other officials is not complete until a month after the general election

Michigan’s primary is Aug. 6 and its general election is Nov. 5, but there are numerous steps and deadlines in the process of voters electing state and federal officials.

Michigan voters will select a new U.S. senator, 13 members of the U.S. House, 110 members of the state House and decide its 15 Electoral College votes for president, among other things.

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The process is different this year because of new laws mandating early voting and wider access to absentee ballots.  Here are key dates. A fuller list is available from the Michigan Secretary of State. 

Related:

June 7: The Michigan Secretary of State certifies candidates to appear on the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

June 27: Absentee ballot drop boxes must be available and secure statewide from now until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

July 7: Early voting for primary can begin if municipalities opt in.

July 15 to 18: The Republican National Convention meets in Milwaukee to nominate a presidential candidate and adopt a platform.

July 22: Deadline to register by mail or online to be eligible to vote in the August election. You can register in-person through Election Day at your local clerk’s office. 

July 27: Nine days of early voting before the primary begins

July 29: Cities or townships with a population of at least 5,000 may begin processing and tabulating absentee ballots.

Aug. 4: Last day of early voting.

Aug. 6: Primary election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. can still cast ballots. 

Aug. 8:. Deadline for Boards of County Canvassers to meet and begin a canvass of the primary election.

Aug. 19 to 22: The Democratic National Convention meets in Chicago to nominate a presidential candidate and adopt a platform.

Aug. 20: Deadline for boards of county canvassers to complete canvass of August primary.

Aug. 26: Deadline for Board of State Canvassers to complete canvass of the August primary.

Oct. 6:  Early voting for general election can begin if municipalities opt in.

Oct. 22:  In-person registration with local clerk with proof of residency allowed between now and Election Day

Oct. 24: Nine days of early voting must begin for general election

Nov. 3:  Last day of early voting

Nov. 5: General election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. can still cast ballots. 

Nov. 7:  Deadline for Boards of County Canvassers to meet and begin canvassing the general election 

Nov. 19: Deadline for Boards of County Canvassers to complete canvass

Nov. 25: Deadline for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and canvass the general election.

Dec. 17: The Electoral College casts votes to select the president and vice president of the United States.

Jan. 3, 2025:  U.S. Congress convenes for the 119th term.

Jan. 6, 2025: U.S. House, Senate convene to count electoral votes and certify the 2024 presidential election

Jan. 8, 2025: The Michigan Legislature begins its 103rd term on the second Wednesday of the year, as prescribed by the state Constitution

Jan. 20, 2025: President of the United States is inaugurated.

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