DETROIT ~ As Michigan voters headed to the polls Tuesday, local election officials reported increased participation in early voting while reminding residents about ballot rules and the safeguards in place to ensure accurate election results.
Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini said early voting participation has grown significantly compared with the first election cycle in which the option was available statewide. “Compared to 2024, the numbers are double of people early voting,” Forlini said. He said more voters are choosing to cast ballots during the early voting period rather than relying on absentee voting, a trend he expects to continue as the option becomes more familiar to residents.
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August 4, 2026 ~ Early voting numbers in Michigan are surging, according to Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini. Hear why more voters are embracing the option, what to know before casting a ballot, and how election officials work to ensure every vote is accurately counted.
August 4, 2026 ~ Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown explains the most common mistakes voters make in Michigan primary elections, why some results take time to report, and the safeguards in place to protect election integrity. Learn what every voter should know before heading to the polls.
(CONTINUED) Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown reported a similar pattern, saying county-run early voting locations recorded higher turnout than during the August 2024 primary election. Brown encouraged eligible voters to participate and reminded residents that Michigan’s primary ballot allows votes for candidates from only one political party. “We see more spoiled ballots in our August primaries than any other election,” Brown said, noting that votes cast for candidates from both parties will invalidate the partisan portion of a ballot.
The clerks also highlighted the role local election workers play in administering elections. Forlini described Election Day as “the Super Bowl” for clerks and election staff after days of early voting and months of preparation. Brown said election administration requires constant coordination between county and local offices, including ballot preparation, absentee ballot processing, and voter assistance.
Both officials emphasized the safeguards built into Michigan’s election process. Brown said absentee ballots returned on Election Day must still go through signature verification and other required checks before they can be tabulated. Forlini said public confidence depends on election workers consistently following established procedures. “If all the clerks and all the election workers follow all the proper protocols, we’ll have good, clean, safe elections,” Forlini said.
While unofficial results will begin to emerge after polls close, election officials cautioned that complete vote counts take time. Brown said election staffs work throughout the evening to process returns and publish updated totals as they become available, while Forlini noted that multiple verification steps are involved before results are officially recorded. “We want everything to be correct. We want every ballot that should be counted to be counted,” Brown said.
