LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s Primary Election Day is less than one month away and it appears many voters want to cast their ballots early.

According to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, more than 1.5 million Michigan voters have requested an absentee ballot. Of that total, more than 178,000 voters have already submitted their ballots.

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Benson’s office said those numbers break the previous records set in 2020 during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It is thrilling to see we are on track to exceed those high turnout levels in 2024 and even more exciting to see voters engaged early at such significant numbers and committed to ensuring their voice is heard,” Benson said.

Benson’s announcement does not come free of political stakes. The outspoken Democrat who touts “democracy” in most of her social media posts and official communications, knows that Michigan will be a key player in getting President Joe Biden reelected, and its 15 electoral votes are likely to swing the election.

While there has been much speculation within Biden’s own party about whether he is mentally fit to stay in his position, the president has said he’s still in the race. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is co-chair of Biden’s reelection campaign, reiterated her support of “her good friend” after denying reports in Politico she told insiders that Biden can no longer win Michigan after his calamitous debate performance last month.

Still, the Biden campaign knows the stakes in the Great Lakes State. President Biden plans to visit Detroit on Friday, his fourth visit to Michigan this year.

In the meantime,  Michigan voters can check the status of their absentee application or ballot online, as well as other voting information here. 

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Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.