Election Day is coming up again for Michigan’s August primary election.
The 2026 primary election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can register to vote at your local clerk’s office up until polls close on Election Day in Michigan. You can also visit your local clerk’s office and request an absentee ballot in person up until 4 p.m. the day before an election.
The online Michigan Voter Information Center at michigan.gov/vote has additional information about voting in the upcoming elections.
Some of the key information you can find at michigan.gov/vote:
When can I vote early?
For the Aug 4. primary, the mandatory early voting period runs from July 25 through Aug. 2.
For statewide and federal elections, the mandatory early voting period starts the second Saturday prior to Election Day and ends the Sunday before an election. Communities may begin early voting up to 29 days before an election, and may provide early voting on the Monday before an election.
What are the key races in Michigan’s primary?
With incumbent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer not able to run again due to term limits, the seat is open. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is leading the Democratic primary race against Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson to replace Whitmer and a Real Clear Politics polling average shows the Republican primary race for governor is being led by U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) against businessman Perry Johnson.
Real Clear Politics has U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) leading the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate against former Wayne County and Detroit health director Abdul El-Sayed of Ann Arbor. The winner of the Democratic primary will take on Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), who is unopposed in the GOP primary in the Nov. 3 general election.
(This story has been updated to reflect that Mike Cox has dropped his bid for Michigan governor.)
Tristan McFolley is a Detroit Free Press intern. Reach him at tmcfolley@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan 2026 primary election guide to voting
Reporting by Tristan McFolley, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Tristan McFolley, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
