A vote here sign pointing to the Michigan State University Union showing people where they can cast their vote for the presidential election on Nov. 5, 2024.
The August primary elections are weeks away, and voter registration deadlines are fast approaching.
The primary elections on Aug. 4 help determine political candidates for the November ballot. This year, candidates are vying for positions on the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, local governing councils and Michigan's governor. A handful of other state government positions are also on the ballot, including Secretary of State.
Students can register to vote in-person at any time until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 4, at local city or township clerk offices. Voters can register online or by mail until July 20.
Voter registration status can be checked through the Michigan Voter Information Center website.
To register to vote in Michigan, students must be:
Registering to vote
Out-of-state students can choose to vote in Michigan, but must register in person and provide proof of residency by using MSU's campus address or a Michigan home address. Voters must also provide valid photo ID that should match the Michigan address listed at registration. If out-of-state students register with a new address, their driver's license or state ID will be updated automatically, and the Secretary of State will mail you an address sticker.
Online registration can be done up to 15 days before the election on July 20 by using the Michigan Voter Information Center website.
To register by mail, students can pick up a physical application from a local clerk's office, request a mailed application, or print out the form from the Michigan Voter Information Center website. Mailed applications must be postmarked by July 20.
In-person registration forms can be filled out at local city or township clerk’s office. If you register within 14 days of an election, you must do so in person and provide proof of residency, such as a Michigan ID, utility bill, bank statement, or other government documents. For the primary election, mandatory in-person registration with proof of residency begins Tuesday, July 21.
Casting your vote
On Election Day, students can vote at their local polling precinct on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In East Lansing, there are several precinct locations on and off campus, which can be found on the City of East Lansing website.
Students registered to vote at Brody Neighborhood’s Butterfield, Rather, Bryan, Armstrong, Bailey and Emmons Halls can vote at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.
Students registered to vote at South Neighborhood's Case, Holden, Wilson and Wonders Halls, or at North Neighborhood's Abbot, Campbell, Gilchrist, Landon, Mason, Mayo, Phillips, Snyder, Williams and Yakeley Halls, can vote at the MSU Union.
Students registered to vote at River Trail Neighborhood's McDonel, Owen, Shaw, and Van Hoosen Halls or at East Neighborhood's Akers, Holmes, and Hubbard Halls can vote at IM Sports East.
Before Election Day, there are a few options for voting early and remotely.
Michigan offers early in-person voting for statewide elections. From July 25 through Aug. 2, you can vote at an early voting location, the same way you would on Election Day.
To vote remotely, students can request and return an absentee ballot until 4 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can acquire an absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office, by requesting one online or over the phone by mail, or by locating the form on the Michigan Voter Information Center website and printing and mailing one themselves. Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by your township or city clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election.
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If students would like to change their vote after filling out or submitting their ballot, they have the option to "spoil" it. Individuals who voted for candidates such as Mallory McMorrow, who has dropped out of the U.S. Senate race after ballots were sent out, may want to consider this option.
Before submitting it to a local clerk, voters can surrender their ballot or sign a statement stating that the ballot was lost or destroyed and vote in person at an early voting site or on Election Day.
An absentee ballot that has not been returned to the clerk may be spoiled in person at the clerk’s office until 4 p.m. on Aug. 3.
To spoil a ballot that has already been returned to a local clerk, voters must submit a signed written request to their local clerk, which indicates whether they would like to pick up a new absentee ballot in person or have one mailed to them from the clerk's office by July 24.
There is no option during the mandatory early voting period or on Election Day to spoil an absentee ballot that has been received by the clerk.
If an emergency occurs on Election Day, such as a sudden illness or family death that prevents students from reaching the polls, voters may request an emergency absentee ballot. Requests for an emergency ballot must be submitted after the deadline for regular absentee voter ballots has passed but before 4 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information about voting locations and other early voting information, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website.
