© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Whitmer Approves Earlier Processing Of Absentee Ballots

ballot envelope
Kevin Lavery
/
WKAR-MSU

Clerks in Michigan cities or township of at least 25,000 people can start processing a surge of absentee ballots a day before November's presidential election under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. 

About 2.7 million voters have requested ballots so far, many more than in 2016.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson projects more residents will vote than at any point in state history.

Election officials currently cannot remove ballots from outer envelopes until 7 a.m. on Election Day.

The new law lets them be opened between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.