LANSING, MI -- Michigan voters can apply to receive an absentee ballot to vote in the March 10 presidential primary right now.

Early voting is easier than ever thanks to new laws adopted by voters in 2018. All registered voters in Michigan can vote using an absentee ballot for any reason, but they need to request one from their local clerks first.

Satruday, Jan. 25 is the deadline for clerks to send absentee ballots to overseas voters and members of the armed forces. Clerks must also have absentee ballots for all other voters available within 40 days of the election, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

County clerks across Michigan are scheduled to deliver absentee ballots to local clerks this weekend to be mailed out at the start of next week, said Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum.

Voters must request an absentee ballot by sending a completed application (available in large print here) to their local clerk’s office. Applications must be filled out in writing and can be turned in by hand, mail, fax or email, as long as a signature is visible.

For the presidential election, voters choose whether to participate in the primary for Democrats or Republicans. This must be marked on the ballot application.

Some counties will also be deciding on local questions in March. Voters in those areas can select “nonpartisan” if they only want to weigh in on local issues.

Requests for a mailed absent voter ballot must be turned in by 5 p.m. on March 6.

People who are already registered to vote can request an absent voter ballot in person at their clerk’s office anytime before 4 p.m. on March 9.

Voters have until 8 p.m. on March 10 to return their completed ballot to their local clerk’s office, either through the mail or in person.

Check your voter registration and find your local clerk at the Secretary of State’s Michigan Voter Information Center.

Michigan’s presidential primary is just a few short weeks away. There will be 19 candidates total on the March 10 ballot, including President Donald Trump, 15 Democrats and three other Republicans.

Democratic Party

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

Former Vice President Joe Biden

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg

Former U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro

Former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, D-Md.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hi.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Penn.

Businessman Tom Steyer

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

Author Marianne Williamson

Businessman Andrew Yang

Republican Party