Michigan Republicans encouraged their supporters to embrace early voting as the window to vote in person ahead of Election Day opened in Michigan.

The early voting period began on the second Saturday prior to Election Day, which was Oct. 26, and ends the Sunday before the election, Nov. 3, the Michigan Secretary of State said. However, communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting. Under state law, communities can offer up to 28 days of early voting.

Over 140,000 voters in Michigan cast their ballots Saturday, the first day of early voting​, secretary of state says.

Early voting is underway in the key battleground state of Michigan. It's the first year that Michigan is required to provide nine days of early voting throughout the state, because voters passed a constitutional amendment calling for it in 2022.

Early in-person voting has opened in Michigan today with many voters flocking to cast their ballots. Early in-person voting allows voters to cast a ballot before Election Day in a traditional voting environment.

From Monroe County to Ann Arbor, Michigan voters ventured to the polls Saturday for the first of nine days of early, in-person voting.

The GOP nominee has repeatedly undermined his party’s efforts to catch up to Democrats in voting by mail and before Election Day.