(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/16/2024) More than 2.1 million absentee ballots had been requested for the Nov. 5 Presidential Election and more than 670,000 have returned with three weeks left, fewer than the 2020 election.

The 2020 election saw about 300,000 more absentee ballots returned with the same number of days left in the election. There were also more than 700,000 more people who had requested an absentee ballot.

Secretary of State officials also point out that the 2020 election took place under the social distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Absentee ballots could be returned to the local clerk’s office or ballot drop box before polls close at 8 p.m. Nov. 5.

Early voting sites will also be open for in-person voting between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3. 

Mark Grebner of Practical Political Data reported on Friday that Democrats across the state are more likely to have turned in their absentee ballots than the Republicans who have requested them. In speaking with MIRS, he's projecting roughly 5.5 million people will vote in the 2024 election, roughly the same as 2020 (See “Early Returns Shows Dems Turning In Ballots Quicker,” 10/11/24).

On Monday, often-referenced UMichVoter, the Twitter name for K. LAMBA, who now works as an early vote tracker for Votehub.us, reported Detroit is leading the state with 40% (41,123) of the absentee ballots sent (103,221) already having been returned. In Flint, 39% of the absentee ballots also have been returned. In Midland, 38% have been returned.