Is split-ticket voting allowed in Michigan elections? How does this work?

Election Day is getting closer and closer for Michigan voters, although voting is already in full swing with absentee and early voting.

The voting process in Michigan is fairly simple, but there is some confusion about when voters can vote on a “split ticket,” which means voting for candidates in more than one political party.

The simplest explanation:

• Michigan residents cannot vote for a split ticket in the August primary election. Voters must choose one political party and vote for that party’s candidates only during primary elections, which are called “straight ticket” voting.

• However, in the November general election, Michigan voters have a little more freedom to move their ballots. Michigan voters are allowed to choose candidates from different parties and different races during general elections—they are not required to vote only for candidates from a particular party.

Below is a more detailed explanation of the different voting styles and when they are or are not allowed in Michigan elections.

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Direct voting ticket

In Michigan’s primary elections, voters must cast their ballots directly. The voter selects a party, which does not have to be the same as the party affiliation on file, and votes for that party’s preferred candidates. The purpose of the primary is to narrow the party’s candidates who will run for office in the November general election.

To vote on a straight ticket, the voter chooses which party they intend to vote for. If a person voting in the Michigan primary decides to vote only within the Republican Party, but then fills out the bubble for the Democratic candidate in the race, their ballot will become invalid. In the Michigan primary, voters are only allowed to vote within one party or their ballots will be invalid and not counted.

The situation is different in the November general election.

Michigan residents can choose to vote directly during the general election in November, but they are not required to vote only within that party, as they do during the primary election.

In a general election, if a Michigan voter decides to vote for the Democratic Party on a straight ticket, for example, all Democratic candidates in each race on that ballot will be indirectly selected. The voter will not have to choose a candidate from each different race; Democratic candidates will be automatically elected.

If that voter chooses to vote for the Democratic Party on a straight ticket and also fills out the bubble next to their preferred Democratic candidate, the vote for that candidate will only be counted once. There will not be two votes for this candidate.

When voting by straight ticket, voters should be aware of the nonpartisan races and propositions that are also on the ballot. Voters will need to make a choice for each of these races separately. If a separate election is made and no straight-ticket party candidate runs in that race, no candidate will be selected for that race.

In the Michigan general election, voters can choose the straight ticket option, but also then choose a candidate from another party from any race or races they choose. This is called a split ticket.

Split voting ticket

Michigan voters are allowed to split their ticket for the November general election.

Split ticket voting means outright choosing a party ticket, but then voting for the other party’s candidate in one or more races.

For example: A voter may choose to vote directly for the Republican Party, which will indirectly select the Republican candidate or candidates for each race in which the Republican candidate is entered. A voter is allowed to vote for a candidate from another party in addition to directly choosing a party ticket if they so choose. If a voter wishes to choose a Democratic candidate over a Republican candidate from a particular race or races, they can fill in the bubble next to the Democratic candidate’s name. This cancels their direct selection of Republican tickets for any race for which they do so.

Thus, a voter can override his direct ticket selection for a particular race or race if he individually selects a candidate outside of that party.

Only a maximum number of candidates can be selected for each race, regardless of their party. Voters cannot choose more than the maximum number of candidates for a given race. The ballot will clearly indicate how many candidates can be selected for a given race.

Mixed ticket voting

Michigan voters are not required to make direct ticket choices when voting in the general election. Voters can select each preferred candidate for each individual race, regardless of the candidates’ party affiliation. This is called a mixed voting ticket.

In theory, a voter could vote for the Republican candidate in one race, the Democratic candidate in the next race, and the Green Party candidate in the next race without any consequences to the validity of the ballot. Voters are allowed to choose any candidate from any race, provided they choose only the maximum number of candidates allowed for election from that race.

Voters cannot choose more than the maximum number of candidates for a given race. The ballot will clearly indicate how many candidates can be selected for a given race.

Recorded voting

If a voter wishes to vote for a candidate who is not on the ballot, he can do so using the “write in” option.

In a primary election, a Michigan voter can write in a candidate’s name and choose that candidate as their preferred candidate within their party platform. Eat a number of rules that must be followed in order for write-in opportunities to count in the primary election.

In a general election, a Michigan voter can write on behalf of a candidate instead of voting for someone already on the ballot, regardless of the candidate’s party affiliation. The voter must fill out the circle next to the write option and then write the name of their preferred candidate for that vote to count. If the bubble is not filled, any text written will not be considered valid.

Click here to view the state’s page of frequently asked questions about the dos and don’ts of elections and voting.

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