Harris supporters — including many who already voted — rally in GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A large crowd of supporters lined the sidewalks as they waited to get into Riverside Park for a Friday rally for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The line wrapped around the majority of the Grand Rapids park, though it was moving quickly and the mood was positive.

Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids police patrolled on foot and bikes and in cars and there were mobile cameras set up throughout the park. Everyone underwent a security screening before getting into the rally area. While there was a pro-Palestine demonstration happening outside the park, News 8 crews did not see any protesters who opposed Harris specifically.

"The rally's always look like a good time, so excited to be energized," Michigan State University student Kathryn Walterhouse, who is voting in a presidential election for the first time, said.

She and friend made the drive from the Lansing area to attend the rally and be part of what they said was a part of history.

"I definitely think it's a little bit higher stakes, a little more tension, but everything is going to be OK," Whitehouse said.

Harris supporters said they weren't going back and expressed concern about what would happen if former President Donald Trump wins back the White House.

"I love Kamala. I love what she stands for. I love her as a person. I'm just excited," rally attendee Judy Soderquist said.

"The energy that (Harris) has is fantastic and I really think she's going to do a lot for the country," Mary Laraway said.

"I oppose Trump in every way. I'm looking forward to a happy and more beautiful future," Samuel Frontiera.

Harris and Trump target Michigan as both parties try to shore up 'blue wall' votes

Absentee voting has been underway for a few weeks now in Michigan. State data shows some 2.2 million absentee ballots have been requested and about 945,000 returned as of Friday morning. All but one Harris supporter who spoke to News 8 at the rally said they had already cast their ballot.

One of those who had already voted, Geri Holzgen, said it was still important to come out and support Harris.

"I wanted to see her and show everybody in the world that we had a lot of people here. I don't want anyone saying, 'There was nobody there,'" Holzgen said.

Laraway, a lifelong Democrat, was another of those who said they already cast a ballot. She said reproductive rights were an important issue for her and that she was voting for "all the females in my world."

"I'm here for my granddaughter, my mom, my sisters, sisters-in-laws, cousins. I just think it's a very important issue, one of the bigger ones," Laraway said.

Some voters say they haven't gotten their absentee ballots. What's next?

With the presidential race in Michigan neck-and-neck and the state a key battleground, both Harris and Trump have held frequent events around the state.

"I think that we need to know that they care, that Michigan is important for them," Soderquist said.

Early in-person voting must start statewide by Oct. 26 and Election Day is Nov. 5.