https://www.bridgedetroit.com/michigan-moves-to-adopt-early-voting-republicans-say-efforts-go-too-far/
Legislators move to approve changes mandated by last year’s Proposal 2, allowing clerks to offer it as long as 29 days. The legislation is expected to head soon to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
I recently moved to Michigan from Colorado. I wish Michigan would adopt mail in voting. It was extremely convenient to receive my ballot in the mail, complete it in the comfort of my home and mail it back or drop it off. They had a tracking system so that I can confirm that my ballot was accepted (or not). And if it wasn't for whatever reason, I could follow up on it, or even vote in person.
This is good news regardless, at least I'll have a few days to get to the polls.
We started unrestricted absentee / mail in voting during the pandemic. You can sign up here: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/absentee-ballot
We do have it. Back several years when it came up, it was passed with bi-partisan support. Now that the GOP sees absentee/mail-in voting as a problem (especially during Covid, when people didn't want to congregate in line) they've rallied against it. But with the current make up of the Michigan legislature, I doubt they'll be able to pass restrictions.
I found mail in voting to be quite nice and convenient, and we do have it for everyone, I think now.
My best voting experience though, was a few years back when I was travelling for work a lot, and I dropped by the county clerk office to pick up an absentee form, and they were like "OK, here's the voting slip, just fill this out and drop it in this box, and you're done", like two weeks prior to the vote.
We've really come a long way here on making it easy to do. Yet still there's people faced with hours long / all day long waits, in the major cities, and THAT should just be absolutely unacceptable. But it's what the GOP wants.
Mail in voting.
Pro: Can research candidates in your own home, look up spelling of write in candidates names, no early voting hours.
Cons: Might forget to vote if not an 'event', some states have to receive it (not postmark it) by election day invalidating votes for sending it in late, signature card shenanigans, politically extreme dad/mom/husband/wife looking over shoulder to make sure you 'vote the right way'.