LANSING, Mich. – Two weeks remain until the Aug. 6 Primary Election in Michigan and eligible residents who still need to register to vote or update their registration must now do so in person. To avoid postal delays, voters with an absentee ballot should hand deliver it to their local clerk’s office or secure ballot drop box. Voters can also bring their absentee ballot to an early voting site before Election Day.

Under Michigan law, online and mail registration is not permitted within 14 days of an election. Those registering in person may request, complete, and submit an absentee ballot in the same visit to their clerk’s office. Visit Michigan.gov/Vote for clerk office locations and hours.

Absentee ballots can only be returned to drop boxes within the voter’s jurisdiction. Absentee ballot return envelopes must be signed by the voter with their signature, which must match the one the clerk has on file with the voter’s registration. Ballots must be received by clerks no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Voters who have already submitted their absentee ballot can track it at Michigan.gov/Vote to ensure it has been received.

Michigan does not register voters by party, but state law requires voters to cast votes for only one party’s candidates in the Primary Election. Votes for candidates in multiple parties on the same ballot will not be counted.

To cast a ballot in person, voters can go to an early voting site for their jurisdiction (which may be in their city or township or elsewhere in the county) from July 27 to Aug. 4 or to their polling place on Election Day, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visit Michigan.gov/Vote to find an early voting site, Election Day polling place, or more information about elections and voting in Michigan.

LANSING, Mich. – Monday, July 22 is the last day for Michigan citizens to register online or by mail to vote in the state’s Aug. 6 Primary Election.

Eligible Michigan residents can register to vote online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by mailing, or scanning and emailing, a completed application to their local clerk by July 22. Applications are available online or at clerk’s offices.

To be eligible to register to vote in Michigan, an individual must be a Michigan resident, a United States citizen, 17.5 years of age (18 by Election Day), and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison. Michigan residents can check their voter registration status at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Voters who already have their absentee ballot are encouraged to mail it today to avoid postal delays, or hand-deliver the ballot to their clerk’s office or secure ballot drop box. All ballots must be received by clerks by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Early voting sites will be open statewide Saturday, July 27 through Sunday, Aug. 4. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

LANSING – With Amazon Prime Day fast approaching on July 16th and 17th, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding consumers to stay vigilant as the shopping event also attracts scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting customers.

“Amazon Prime Day may be a great opportunity for deals, but it’s crucial to stay alert against scams and predatory practices,” Nessel said. “By being aware and taking simple precautions, you can protect yourself and enjoy a safe shopping experience.”

Tricks and Tactics Designed to Make Consumers Spend More

Online retailers often employ ‘dark patterns’ to manipulate shoppers’ emotions and insecurities. Nessel, the Federal Trade Commission, and 16 other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the company degrades the customer experience by replacing relevant, organic search results with Amazon’s own products and paid advertisements over ones that Amazon knows are of better quality. To avoid falling for these tactics, consumers should:

• Make a shopping list and set a budget before browsing Prime deals;
• Confirm all models and items before purchasing;
• Pay close attention to the return policies;
• Place items in their carts instead of using the “Buy Now” functionality to ensure the best deals; and
• Compare prices with competitors.

Bogus Reviews

Some products may have numerous positive reviews that are not genuine or are AI-generated. Consumers should:

• Conduct their own research of products and third-party sellers;
• Check reviews for products on other sites; and
• Pay more attention to verified Amazon reviews.

Phishing Emails and Smishing Texts

Scammers may send phishing emails and smishing texts that appear to be from Amazon, offering exclusive deals or alerting consumers to account issues. These messages are designed to steal personal information. Before falling victim, consumers should:

• Always check the sender’s email address;
• Verify any claims by logging into their Amazon account directly through the official website;
• Not reply to suspicious emails or texts or click on links or attachments; and
• Use an email spam filter and a built-in mobile spam-blocking tool.

Phishing emails can be reported to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. Smishing texts can be reported by forwarding them to SPAM (7726). Both can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.

Website Spoofing

Be on the lookout for websites mimicking Amazon’s look and feel, which may advertise deep discounts to steal payment information. Consumers should ensure the websites they visit start with “https://” and include “amazon.com.” Tools like Google’s Safe Browsing tool can help consumers determine if a website is real or legitimate.

Fake Customer Support

Michiganders should scrutinize calls alerting them to suspicious activity on their Amazon account and avoid giving out personal information. Amazon will never send unsolicited messages asking for sensitive information.

Any customer who receives a questionable call from a person impersonating an Amazon employee should report them to Amazon customer service and Michigan’s Robocall Crackdown Team.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form