Michigan voters have started voting in this year’s general election by absentee ballot.

Nearly 1.6 million Michiganders have requested absentee ballots so far for the Nov. 8 general election, according to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, which began mailing absentee ballots on Sept. 29.

This year, Michigan voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Secretary of State’s office. Hillsdale County Clerk Marney Kast said around 20% of registered voters in Hillsdale County typically vote by absentee ballot.

In addition to the traditional method of turning in a ballot through the mail, voters can also choose to drop off their ballot at the local clerk’s office. The Hillsdale City Clerk’s Office is in city hall, located at 97 N. Broad St.

“A voter can turn in their absentee Ballot to their local clerk by 8 p.m. on election day,” Kast said.

This method of absentee voting was adopted in the 2020 election during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, Michigan has allowed the adoption of a permanent absentee voter roll. By signing up for this list, voters would automatically receive an absentee ballot every election.

“Voters are now allowed to be put on a permanent absent voter list if their clerk maintains one,” Kast said.

Junior and Michigan native Grace Hearne said she has already turned in her absentee ballot.

“I voted absentee when I was home over fall break,” Hearne said. “I was able to go in, pick up my ballot, cast my vote, and then go turn it in.”

Kast explained the role of the clerk’s office in the absentee ballot process.

“As county clerks, we work with the local clerks in ordering all ballots including absentee ballots,” Kast said. “Local clerks are in charge of issuing and receiving the absentee return ballots.  Returned absentee ballots are then taken to the precinct on election day for processing.”

Every year, many voters who sign up to receive absentee ballots don’t turn them in on time for their votes to be counted. 

“I had tried to vote absentee last election, but the ballot never arrived to me in Hillsdale last year,” Hearne said.