Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Thursday her office will mail postcards to people telling them they can vote from home in the November election.
The postcards will encourage people to apply for an absentee ballot online or at their local election clerk's office.
According to the Department of State, the postcards will be mailed from the Michigan Bureau of Elections to 4.4 million active, registered voters who are not on the permanent absent list or have not already applied for a November absentee ballot.
Related: How to register to vote in Michigan
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Related: How to get an absentee ballot in Michigan
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“Last week’s primary election was a success in large part because a record-number of voters cast their ballots from home, helping all voters and election workers stay safe during the pandemic,” said Benson. “To ensure similar success and safety in November, when turnout is expected to double or even triple, voters must know they have the right to vote from home and how to do so.”
They will be mailed between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20, and people can apply for their ballot within 75 days of the election, on Aug. 20.
Clerks must begin mailing absentee ballots to voters on Sept. 24.
The postcard mailing will be paid with federal funding and cost about 32 cents per voter.
“This comprehensive investment — including our mailing of information to voters on how to request to vote by mail, funding return postage for ballots, purchasing more supplies for clerks to process mailed-in ballots and installing more drop boxes throughout the state — will ensure that all voters know how to safely, easily, and freely exercise their right to vote from home,” said Benson. “The only missing piece is action from state lawmakers, who need to do their part to support our elections, clerks and voters.”
Ahead of the August primary, Benson's office mailed applications for absentee ballots to all registered voters, which drew ire from Republicans, including President Donald Trump.
