Michigan and Montana Report Rising Absentee Ballot Returns
Michigan and Montana officials report increasing absentee ballot returns as voters prepare for the 2026 general election.
Absentee ballot returns are increasing in Michigan and Montana as the 2026 general election approaches. In Michigan, over 860,000 of the 2.1 million requested absentee ballots have been returned as of October 20. Some communities in the state have already initiated early voting, preceding the official start date of October 24.
In Montana, the Secretary of State's Office reported that 24.61% of the 521,942 sent ballots were returned as of October 21. Christi Jacobsen, the Montana Secretary of State, noted that current trends suggest nearly half of the expected absentee ballots may already be returned. Sweet Grass County currently leads the state with a turnout rate of nearly 32%.
Efforts to increase participation include the 2026 Montana Youth Vote, which allows students to participate through October 28. Jacobsen expressed hope that Montana would achieve a high percentage of turnout, noting that midterm elections typically see a turnout of about 53%.
