Byrum expects every qualified registered voter to exercise their right to vote, whether by absentee ballot or in-person voting.

“We (the clerk’s office) order that number of ballots, specifically for a 100% voter participation,” Byrum said. “... It is my duty that regardless of what way they choose to vote, that they are able to vote their ballot and have their voice heard."

According to a press release from MLive, almost 978,000 Michigan submitted absentee ballots have arrived at the Michigan Secretary of State office as of Oct. 13. Ingham County clerks have sent out over 90,000 absentee ballots, and voters have returned nearly 75% of those ballots to the local clerks where they have been conducting data entry and preparing for the general election.

In 2018, the voters passed Proposal 3, which allows no-reason absentee voting. In 2016, Michiganders voted approximately 30,000 absentee ballots. In 2018, no-reason absentee voting, along with other protections of same-day voter registration passed. 

There has been a significant increase in absentee voting since the passage of Proposal 3.

“Now we are expecting well over 90,000 ballots to be returned as voted absentee,” Byrum said.

Byrum also addressed main-in voting.

"The narrative that we are hearing from the president (that) mail-in votes are not accurate or whatever fake news he likes to spread, is simply that, fake news," she said. "Michigan elections, whether it is by absentee ballot or in-person voting, is absolutely safe and secure.”

The process in which Michigan mail-in voting is performed can be found on the Michigan Secretary of State website.

However, Byrum does not encourage mailing in absentee ballots at this point. Voters should hand-deliver their absentee ballots to the clerk or place them in the clerk’s drop box.

Just like it has been said about past elections before, the 2020 presidential election is like no other.

“It certainly does (look different),” Byrum said. “And that is a direct result of the grassroots initiative that placed Proposal 3 on the 2018 ballot, and as a result, citizens have the option to vote by absentee, and they may register to vote and vote on Election Day. All of this was brought by grassroots organizations, and I think that it is making voting more accessible to the residents of Michigan.”

One thing that Byrum wants voters to know heading into the 2020 presidential election is that Michigan elections are safe. On election night, results are unofficial. Byrum said that it might take time for posted election results to be available because it takes significantly more time to process absentee ballots than it does in-person voting. This process is the result of the number of checks and balances that Michigan elections have and the desire to maintain the secrecy of the vote and the security of the election.

“You can rely on the results that your election administrators provide,” Byrum said. “Be patient and thank an election worker.”

For more information about the election, go to www.michigan.gov/vote.