Clerks share figures for 'unprecedented' early voting turnout

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Early voting numbers have already climbed into the millions statewide, leaving some Mid-Michigan clerks shocked by the turnout.

Between absentee ballots and early in-person voting, nearly 2.6 million people in Michigan have already cast ballots. That’s a turnout of nearly 36% before Election Day even arrives.

“I like the convenience,” said Beth Boyd, who cast her ballot Friday at an early voting site in Delta Township. “That you can do it whenever you have time, and that I am not obliged to get up at 6 a.m. one day to stand in line at 7 a.m.”

It turns out Boyd isn’t alone. Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark said from the day her early voting site opened, people kept coming.

“On the first day, Saturday, October 26, we had more people vote early than in the previous four elections combined,” she said. “It was solid and stable, we didn’t expect such a turnout in any way.”

By Friday, November 1, with just two days of early voting remaining, the number of early votes in townships had passed 2,600 and nearly 9,000 absentee ballots had been returned.

“We are processing more than one voter per minute on early voting,” Clark said.

There are large numbers at the municipal level, but even larger numbers from a provincial perspective. To date, Ingham County has cast a total of more than 19,000 ballots.

Nearly 5,700 ballots were cast in Clinton County, slightly fewer than Eaton County, where nearly 7,000 ballots were cast.

Jackson County Clerk Cierra Sowle is still shocked by their turnout.

“In the first six days alone, we’ve seen over 10,000 voters take advantage of early voting,” she told News 10.

Sowle said feedback on early voting has been positive so far, with many voters telling her they voted early for shorter lines and flexible times. Voting isn’t over yet, but Sowle said it’s already looking like a record turnout for the presidential election.

“I definitely consider this a record year,” she said. “People are really excited to get out and exercise their constitutional right to vote, and like I said, there are so many ways to do that now.”

People in Mid-Michigan have the opportunity to vote at an early voting center near them until Nov. 3 in most communities. Otherwise, voters can cast their ballot, register to vote or drop off an absentee ballot until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

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