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2022 Michigan primary election: No split tickets & 6 other things to know

Voting booths
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The Michigan Primary Election is on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and hundreds of thousands of people will head to the polls to vote for the people they want to represent them in the November general election.

Ahead of the primary, we have seven different things you should know before you go to vote on Tuesday.

No splitting the ticket

During the Michigan primary, you are not allowed to vote "split ticket," which means voting for more than one party column. For example, you cannot vote for a Republican gubernatorial candidate and then a Democratic senatorial candidate.

Poll hours

Polls will open in Michigan at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., giving you 13 hours to vote. 

Bring ID to the polls

You will be asked to show a photo ID at the polls. That includes a driver's license or state-issued ID card, passport, military ID, student ID with a photo from high school or accredited college, tribal ID or any other federal or state government-issued photo ID.

If you do not have photo ID or forgot it, you can still vote. You will have to sign an affidavit stating that you are not in possession of a photo ID.

Sample ballots available online

If you'd like to see what your ballot will look like ahead of the Michigan primary, the Michigan Secretary of State's Office allows you to find your polling location and view a sample ballot that will look just like the one you will see when you arrive. Learn more here

Don't wear any candidate apparel

According to the SOS, the state has banned election-related materials at the polls for decades. That includes clothing, buttons, pamphlets, fliers and stickers. 

You cannot display them and you have to be more than 100 feet away from the entrance to a polling place to display such items. 

If you do go to the polls with election-related items, you will be asked to cover it or remove it.

No photos, please

While at the polls during the voting period, you cannot take any photos or videos, and the use of video cameras, still cameras or other recording devices is strictly prohibited. 

Problems at the polls

If you have any problems at the polls or are experiencing longer than average wait times, we want to hear about them.

Email us your problems or long wait times at tips@wxyz.com or by sending us a message on our Facebook page here.

You can also reach out to your county clerk or call the Michigan Bureau of Elections at 517-373-2540.

To learn more about the elections, visit the Secretary of State website here.