Here is my experience:
I have never voted absentee, but it happens that I requested an absentee ballot in December last year (2019). They (TWP Clerk) sent the application and I returned it.
Somewhere around September 30 this year, the ballot arrived, and I filled it out .
Being somewhat concerned about all the USPS goings on and the threat of abuse in the mail system, on October 1 I took my ballot to the "
Drop Box" in front of the Van Buren TWP police station, the same one I use to pay my water bill. At 6am, there was no one around, no lines, no waiting.
Later, out of concern and curiosity, I went on-line to track my ballot. It came up as received by the TWP Clerk - same as I had voted in person (I think).
For me, this is the way to go. This is the method I intend to use in the future - no lines, no waiting, done early (Oct1), verified received by TWP Clerk.

YMMV.