With the primary election right around the corner, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey implored council members to encourage constituents to vote.
The first day of early in-person voting is Saturday. The primary election on Aug. 4 determines party nominations for Congress, state Legislature and governor. Voters will also get a chance to cast their ballot for transit and education proposals.
Related:
- Voter guide 2026: Everything you need to know about voting in Detroit
- DPSCD operating millage proposal set to appear on August ballot
- Wayne County transit millage explained: what it is, how much it costs
The council district with the highest early voter turnout will get a block party, as part of Detroit’s Early Voting Challenge. For more information, go to early.onecivic.org. The expected turnout for the primary is about 20%, Winfrey said.
Election officials emphasized that voting in Detroit is secure. In late June, the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to officials in three cities, including Detroit, alleging problems at the polls and said it would send monitors for the primary election. Winfrey, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel pushed back against the claims.
“We are ready. We stand ready, the county clerk (Cathy Garrett) and myself,” Winfrey said on Tuesday. “We’ve always been ready. We’ve always had monitors — locally, statewide, regionally and federal monitors at our elections.”
