Clerks share numbers for ‘unprecedented’ early voting turnout

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

Between absentee ballots and early, in-person voting, almost 2.6 million people in Michigan have already cast their ballots. That's an almost 36% voter turnout before Election Day even arrives.

"I like the convenience," said Beth Boyd, who cast her vote at an early voting site in Delta Township Friday. "That you can do it when you have time to do it, and I'm not mandated to that one day and getting up at 6 a.m. to get in line at 7 a.m."

It turns out that Boyd is not alone. Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark said, that from the day her early voting site opened, people just kept coming.

"The first day, Saturday, Oct. 26, we did more people voting early in one than we did in the previous four elections combined," she said. "It was solid, steady, we were in no way expecting that kind of turnout."

As of Friday, Nov. 1, with only two days of early voting left, township early voting numbers had passed 2,600, and nearly 9,000 absentee ballots were returned.

"We are processing more than one voter a minute in early voting," Clark said.

There are big numbers at the township level, but even bigger numbers from a county-wide point of view. So far, Ingham County has cast more than 19,000 total ballots.

In Clinton County, close to 5,700 ballots have been cast, trailing just slightly behind Eaton County, where almost 7,000 ballots have been cast.

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

"In the first six days alone, we have seen over 10,000 voters utilize early voting," she told News 10.

Sowle said early voting feedback is positive so far, with many voters telling her they voted early for shorter lines and flexible times. Voting is not over yet, but Sowle said it's already looking like a record-breaking turnout for a presidential election.

"I definitely see this as a record-breaking year," she said. "People are really excited to get out and exercise their constitutional right to vote, and like I said, there is so many ways to do that now."

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