Polling locations throughout most of Michigan close at 8 pm EST, bringing an end to the August primary election Tuesday to decide which Republican candidate will emerge from a crowded field to face Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this fall along with several hotly contested intraparty congressional and state legislative fights.
Hundreds of thousands of Michigan voters returned absentee ballots before Election Day and by Tuesday morning, more than a million absentee ballots had been received by election officials across the state, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
>> LIVE: Michigan primary election results here
Those casting absentee ballots have until 8 pm Tuesday to return theirs. Polling locations serving in-person voters also close then, but those in line by 8 pm can still vote.
While voting ends at 8 pm EST the vast majority of the state, voting in the four Michigan counties in Central Time Zone — Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron and Menominee counties — is still underway for another hour.
More:Meet the Republican governor candidates running against Whitmer in Michigan election 2022
As polls close and election workers finish counting absentee ballots, you can follow unofficial results at Freep.com by visiting the home page or clicking on this link.
Live Michigan election results
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Key Michigan primary races to watch
Whitmer ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, leaving the GOP gubernatorial primary the only contested statewide contest on the ballot.
Voters also weighed in on congressional and state legislative primaries Tuesday. While Michigan is home to a number of competitive seats, the primary Tuesday will likely determine who will represent voters in a number of safe Democratic and Republican districts.
More:6 races — and types of races — worth watching in Tuesday’s Michigan primary
What happens after Election Day?
The election results and outcomes reported when election workers finish processing and counting ballots are unofficial. In the coming weeks, county canvassing boards made up of two Democrats and two Republicans will review election materials, sign off on the vote totals and certify outcomes for races wholly contained within the county. they have two weeks to complete that job.
The state’s elections panel then meets to certify statewide contests and elections that cross county lines. The Board of State Canvassers – also made up of two Democrats and two Republicans – must agree by Aug. 22 to determine the results of the election.
Clara Hendrickson fact-checks Michigan issues and politics as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work de ella at bit.ly/freepRFA. Contact her at [email protected] or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.