You can amplify the power of your vote in Michigan's Aug. 6 primary. Here's how

We have little doubt that you’re going to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  

Why? 

Because if you’re reading this, you’re a dedicated Freep reader. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already voted, considering that over 1.5 million Michigan voters have requested absentee ballots — as of July 10, more than 178,000 ballots had already returned. 

How to votein Michigan.

If you’re included in those numbers, give yourself a pat on the back. We thank you for participating in one of the most important facets of democracy. 

But, loyal reader and voter, your work is not done.  

We need your friends, family members, acquaintances and coworkers (if only your pets could vote).

Imagine you have one conversation with each of them — and then they have conversations with all the potential voters in their lives, and so on and so on. The impact you can make with just one conversation is incredible. 

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Earlier this year, we told you about the 10-5-1 pledge: you email or text at least 10 people you think aren’t planning to vote in the primary election, asking them to head to the polls. Follow up with 5 of those people via text, a phone call and/or personal conversation. Offer to go to the polls with at least 1 of those people, or at least confirm that they'll vote.  

We asked readers to take the 10-5-1 pledge in 2018, and turnout for that year's August primary was a record 27% of the voting-age population, about 8 percentage points above the average for an off-presidential year — historically, less than 20%.

It worked then, and it can work now. This primary election is crucial for determining the down-ballot races in a contentious presidential year, often the determining factor in which party will control the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Michigan Legislature and local offices. Some districts are so heavily partisan that they'll effectively be decided on Aug. 6.

Here's some language you can borrow or adapt for those emails or texts:

Dear _____:

I don't know which party's candidates you intend to vote for, and I'm not asking unless you really want me to know.

But I hope you'll join me in voting in the statewide primary on Aug. 6, when many important races are decided, but turnout is low.

The League of Women Voters likes to say that democracy is not a spectator sport. I plan to get into the game by voting on Aug. 6, and I hope you'll join me.

It’s easy to dismiss a primary election, but what’s easy is not often what is right. In the political landscape we find ourselves in, your vote and the votes of those closest to you matter now more than ever. 

So, talk to your friends, bring a buddy with you to vote, post a voter registration link to your social media or follow the 10-5-1 pledge. 

Whatever you do, make it count.  

Click here for the2024 Freep voter guide

Freep endorsementsfor Michigan voters in US House, Senate, state House in Aug. 6 primary

You can search for your district or for a replica of your ballot on the Michigan Secretary of State's website. Local clerks will mail absentee ballots to Michigan voters on June 27. Registered voters may cast ballots early, in person, from July 27 to Aug. 4 — check with your local clerk for the location of early voting sites and ballot dropboxes. And, of course, you can vote — and register to vote — in person on Aug. 6, Election Day. 

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