‘On track to break attendance records.’ MI voters go to the polls

(WXYZ) — After months of frequent visits to Michigan from both presidential campaigns, Election Day has finally arrived.

Here’s a look at what’s happening in metro Detroit.

To view all of our voter information and resources, click here.

Check out our live Election Day blog below:

Tuesday: 2:28 PM

Michigan’s new “I Voted” stickers have exploded on social media as people cast their first in-person votes and cast their ballots on Election Day. Now they are sold on resale sites.

One of the most popular is the sticker showing a werewolf tearing off his shirt with an American flag in the background. It has been featured on John Oliver and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has worn a T-shirt with the design.

VIDEO BELOW: Check out the winners of Michigan’s first-ever “I Voted” sticker design contest

Here are the winners of Michigan’s first-ever “I Voted” sticker design contest

A quick search on eBay showed that people are selling the stickers, especially the werewolf sticker. Recently sold stickers cost $18 and up to $45.

Benson said during a news conference Tuesday that if you haven’t gotten your sticker, you can pick one up at a Michigan Secretary of State branch in Michigan. Branches will be closed on Election Day, so you’ll have to wait until Wednesday to check. Find your branch here

Tuesday at 1:30 PM

The city of Northville said Precinct 1 has been moved from the community center to Hillsdale Middle School, located at 775 N. Center Rd.

Consumers Energy was investigating a possible gas leak at the community center, forcing the district to relocate.

Tuesday afternoon

Macomb County is home to many auto workers and a key county we’ll be watching as the election results come in tonight. The UAW has formally endorsed Kamala Harris, but some employees we spoke to ahead of the election support Donald Trump.

Our Faraz Javed spoke to the voters who play a crucial role in this year’s elections.

Macomb County in the spotlight for the 2024 presidential election

Faraz was at Precinct 42 at Sterling Heights High School and spoke for the first time with Canaan Calhoun, an 18-year-old who voted. He asked him what his experience was and what his research was to determine which candidate he would vote for.

“I mainly watch the news, I watch the news,” said the first-time voter. “I use the news to find and explore the different candidates, which one would be best for my future.”

Canaan went to the polls with his mother and his two brothers. Faraz asked Canaan how the family discussions were before he went to the polling station to select the candidate.

“The most important thing was that we came together,” Canaan said. “We just sat around the TV, watched some news, watched and listened to what they were saying and mostly followed along. We watched the debate and we had a whole conversation about that, so that’s the most important thing we did.”

Macomb County has traditionally voted Republican. In 2016, Trump won Macomb County by 48,000 votes, and again in 2020 by 40,000 votes. But in the end, Joe Biden won Michigan in the last presidential election.

This is a critically important county to win: Faraz spoke with District 42 Chairwoman Carol to show us what voters can expect as they enter today.

“You walk in and the first desk you pass is the ballot application,” Carol Calhoun said. “You fill out that paperwork, then you go to the next station, which is the poll book, there you present your driver’s license. We scan you into the system, make sure you’re a registered voter, and from there we give you a ballot , you go to the various voting booths to vote, and then you line up in front of the tabulator and cast your vote.

We spoke with Carol about some of the challenges employees faced as the voters rolled in.

“Probably the biggest thing we’ve encountered is people coming to the wrong district,” Carol said. “They had previously lived in this area and were residents of Sterling Heights and had moved, so we had to call the clerk’s office to confirm that they were not registered voters here in Sterling Heights, and we had to send them to their respective cities to register to register and to vote.”

We also asked Carol what the turnout was like a few hours ago.

“It was steady, we had 40 people in line when we opened,” Carol said. “And it’s been a steady stream all day, I think we’re at 250, maybe a little more than that, counting every hour.”

Tuesday 10:50 am

It was a steady stream of voters at Southfield City Hall Tuesday morning. Many were pleasantly surprised by the waiting time.

“Waited less than five minutes. We went in and went straight to our polling place,” Scott Clay said.

Related video: Voters cast ballots in Southfield

Voters cast their ballots in Southfield

Andrew Hartman says voting at the polling station was a piece of cake.

“Maybe 30 seconds. I parked my car. And ten minutes later I walk out,” he said.

“I heard some people waited two hours for early voting on Sunday. I think everyone was a little confused. But today I came in five minutes ago. It literally took me five minutes,” said Southfield resident Teresa Ross.

Dominick Thirkield and his wife Nicole said the well-organized polling station made it easy for their entire family.

“I mean, they were very nice and very pleasant, you know, coordinating us and letting us know where to go. And we were out of there in 20 minutes,” Dominick said.

Nicole said, “I wanted to make sure my children could witness history and make sure I documented it so that when they got older they could say I was there.”

Tuesday: 10:45 am

A steady stream of voters showed up at Pasteur Elementary on Detroit’s west side this morning.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently visited and spoke about the turnout so far on this Election Day.

Related video: Watch Benson’s update from Tuesday morning

WATCH: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks on Election Day as polls are now open

Benson says more than 3.3 million people in Michigan voted before the polls opened this morning.

Benson says 82% of all absentee ballots were returned before Election Day, and many have already been processed.

There are long lines at polling stations around metro Detroit — and the Secretary of State says they have a field team of 100 people ready to respond to any allegations of trouble.

“People are involved and people know the rules, which is that today is the last day to vote in these elections. And whether people choose to vote in person here at the precinct or return their ballot to a local mailbox, it will be a day of celebration, a day of hope and a day in which we can be proud that so many people are participating. participate in our elections. Already, 45.8% of registered active voters in our state have voted in this election, and we are on track to break turnout. records again,” Benson said.

Related video: Michigan voters line up on Election Day to make their voices heard

Michigan voters line up on Election Day to make their voices heard

“I just want to say that everyone should get out and vote, do what you have to do, make it count,” said Daveen Young, a voter.

“It’s a good turnout, I like to see this,” said Pamela Dann, another voter.

Benson says Michigan is on track for record turnout.

We were at a few polling places in Redford earlier today where some people were complaining that they didn’t have enough computers to check everyone in. So keep in mind that it is always a busy day, so be patient.

Tuesday: 10am

7 News Detroit reporter Brittany Toolis was outside the Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, which has two constituencies within it. She has been there since just after the polls opened.

Voters share the excitement at Central United Methodist Church in Detroit

Only 15 voters are allowed in at a time, so they’ve seen a small line of voters. For one person, it is the first time in about ten years that he or she has cast a vote.

“I feel happy and hopeful,” Sierra Spencer said. “People seem to be ready for it.”

Sierra is one of millions casting her ballot as the 2024 presidential election is now in the hands of voters.

“We got up at 6 o’clock this morning…getting ready to vote today,” said Josie Budnick and James Bennett.

All three voters in Metro Detroit cast their ballots at the church at Woodward Avenue and East Adams, near Grand Circus Park. It houses two districts and there is a small but steady line out the front door all morning.

“I expected to see a line where I know most of my colleagues voted early,” Sierra said. “I was a little worried about the wait, but it wasn’t bad actually.”

“He’s late for work, but we’ll make it happen,” Josie said. ‘My boss thinks it’s fine. We do our job. We’re both excited.’

All three voters say the process went smoothly for them. Now they’re waiting for the numbers to come in.

“I’m glad we’re finally getting an answer to move forward as a country,” Sierra said. “Just go vote if you haven’t already.”

The polling stations are open until 8 p.m

Tuesday: 7:00 am

Polls are open in most of Michigan as voters have until 8 p.m.

More than 1.2 million Michigan residents cast their ballots through early voting for the 2024 general election. according to the state’s voter dashboard.

On Sunday, 189,442 people cast their votes, according to the dashboard. That’s the highest daily total in the state. The previous high was the day before, when 145,955 people voted.

A total of 1,214,444 people in Michigan cast early in-person votes for the 2024 general election.

Related election information