Michigan has robust voting options — time to make a plan

• Request an absentee ballot (you don't need a reason).
• Vote in person before Election Day at an early voting center.
• Vote in person on Election Day at your local polling place.

Driving the news: Absentee voting began last Thursday. Voters who have already requested ballots will start seeing them in their mailboxes.

• Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced last week that more than 1.8 million Michigan voters have requested an absentee ballot.

The first step in preparing to vote is registering or checking your registration.

• In-person registration is open until 8pm on Election Day, and mailed applications must be postmarked 15 days beforehand — but it's best to register as soon as possible.
• You can register (or update your registration) online, by mail or at your local clerk's office.

What you need to know about voting before Election Day:

Absentee voting, also known as voting by mail, is a convenient and safe way to cast your ballot if you have transportation issues or want to avoid Election Day lines.

• You can request a ballot online until 5pm the Friday before the election.
• Or you can request a ballot from your local clerk's office by mail or phone.

• Once you have filled out your ballot, return it to a ballot drop box, at your clerk's office, or by mail.
• Pro tip: Within two weeks of Election Day, officials recommend applying or returning your ballot in person.

This year, in-person early voting is a new option, thanks to Prop 2's passage in 2022.

• Municipalities must open early voting centers for at least nine consecutive days before Election Day.
• Bipartisan election inspectors oversee the centers.
• Detroit will offer 16 days of early voting, from Oct. 19-Nov. 3.

The bottom line: Don't wait to figure out your voting plan.

• Check out the state's online Voter Information Center or detroitvotes.org for information about the voting process.