Early voting underway locally for August primary

By Barb Pert Templeton

Early Voting for the August 4, 2026 Primary Election began on Saturday, July 25, and continues every day through Sunday, August 2 in Algonac and Marine City.

Marine City Clerk Jason Bell said voting is taking place in the meeting chambers located at 260 S. Parker Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday including on the weekend.

“Early voting gives you the flexibility to cast your ballot on your schedule and helps reduce Election Day lines,” Bell stated on the city’s Facebook page. “Whether you’ll be busy on August 4 or simply prefer to vote early, we encourage all eligible voters to take advantage of this convenient option.”

In Algonac, City Clerk Lisa Borgacz posted voter’s information on the city website at cityofalgonc.org. The nine days of early voting began on Saturday, July 25 and will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 3. Those early ballots can be cast at the Clay Township Hall at 4710 Pte. Tremble from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Algonac has a relatively a new in-person voting location as of July 2025 and it’s just one precinct at the Algonac Activity Center at 1216 St. Clair Blvd. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

For those who wish to return heir absentee voter ballots in Algonac they can deliver them to the city clerk’s office any time prior to the 8 p.m. closing of the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 4 by mail (no postage necessary), in-person or by placing the secure ballot in the drop box in the city hall parking lot.

Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Marine City Clerk Jason Bell via email to pose some additional questions about the upcoming election.

Blue Water Healthy Living: How’s the early voting going in Marine City – slow, steady?

Marine City Clerk Jason Bell: It is slow moving for early voting. As of end of day yesterday, (Weds.) we had 37 total early voters (after 5 days).

BWHL: How many precincts does Marine City have and what are (is) the location?

Bell: MC has 1 precinct and it is located at the City Hall Meeting Chambers, 260 S Parker Street.

BWHL: What are the hours during early voting?

Bell: Early Voting is 8am – 4pm each day. Through August 2nd at the same location as above.

BWHL: Who’s working the polls for the early voting? (During budget talks there was a discussion about being shorthanded if certain cuts were made.)

Bell: We have appointed election inspectors working the polls during early voting and election day. Which is required by law to have inspectors appointed.

BWHL: What about absentee ballots – how many did MC issue? Can they be returned now, during early voting?

Bell: We issued approximately 637 absentee ballots. They can be returned until 8pm on Election Day, August 4th. Voters can also tabulate their own absentee ballot in precinct during early voting if they choose.

BWHL: How many registered voters does Marine City have today?

Bell: 3,324

BWHL: Is a primary ballot invalid if a voter doesn’t select a party – Democrat or Republican?

Bell: They do not have to select a part perse but they cannot cross vote in the primary. They have to vote one party or the other.

BWHL: During the in-person primary voting on Tuesday, Aug. 4 can absentee ballots be turned in?

Bell: Yes. They must be turned into the Clerk’s office though, not to election inspectors in precinct.

BWHL: What kind of ID do voters need to bring to the polls?

Bell: A valid photo ID is required by law.

Valid forms are:

· Driver’s license or personal identification card issued by another state.

· Federal or state government-issued photo identification.

· U.S. passport.

· Military identification card with photo.

· Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education.

· Tribal identification card with photo.

Clerk’s Note: You can sign an affidavit if you are not in POSSESSION of a valid photo ID to be eligible to vote.

BWHL: What’s important for voters to know about the August primary ballot?

Bell: Just that a voter does not cross vote parties on the ballot.