In the Michigan Democratic and Republican primaries held on Tuesday, both President Biden and former President Donald Trump secured easy victories, solidifying their positions as the frontrunners for their respective parties in the upcoming November general election. Despite the clear winners, voter turnout was lower than in previous years, raising concerns about voter apathy in the crucial battleground state.

According to CBS News projections, over 1.8 million Michiganders participated in the 2024 primaries, representing approximately 22% of registered voters statewide. The Republican primary saw approximately 1.1 million votes cast, while the less competitive Democratic primary garnered around 740,000 votes by Wednesday morning.

A significant portion of the votes were attributed to early voting, with more than one million Michigan voters having cast their ballots ahead of the primary, as announced by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Monday. Benson commended the active participation of Michigan citizens in the primaries, noting record numbers of absentee ballots and early in-person voting.

While this year's turnout fell short of records set in recent primaries, including in 2020 and 2016, it surpassed earlier primary elections. The outcome has awarded President Biden with the majority of the 117 Democratic delegates in Michigan, with a challenge posed by Arab and Muslim American voters opting for an "uncommitted" vote in protest of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. If the "uncommitted" vote secures 15% or more, delegates not tied to any candidate could have a significant presence at the convention.

On the Republican side, Michigan will allocate only 16 of its 55 delegates based on the primary results, with the remaining delegates to be decided through district caucuses on Saturday. The primaries have set the stage for the parties' candidates as they look ahead to the November general election.