See the ‘unprecedented’ record number of early ballots submitted in Jackson County

n "unprecedented" number of people showed up to their local polling place before election day in Jackson County, city and county officials said.

Between the City of Jackson and the wider Jackson County area, 19,136 ballots were cast through early voting services ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

A total of 16,585 voters in Jackson County townships utilized in-person early voting, said Cierra Sowle, Jackson County clerk and register of deeds.

"Compare this number to February and August, in which we had less than 700 voters utilize early voting, this is unprecedented," Sowle said.

Within the City of Jackson itself, 2,551 ballots were cast in the nine days early voting was offered, said City Spokesperson Aaron Dimick.

"We're encouraged to see so many residents take advantage of this voting option," Dimick told MLive. "The City Clerk's Office puts a lot of work into organizing our elections, so it's satisfying to see so many people taking part in voting."

Dimick credits the skill and patience of City election workers for handling the larger-than-anticipated crowds. In comparison, City Hall saw a total of 108 voters for the August primary election.

City officials have also received 3,455 absentee ballots - out of a total of 4,129 sent out this election cycle - as of Nov. 4, Dimick said. The combined total of early and absentee vote amounts to 6,006 ballots already cast in this election.

The 6,006 figure accounts for about 48.3% of the overall 12,411 votes cast in Jackson in 2020. Though 2024 can't be fully compared to 2020 until all votes have been counted, the huge chunk of votes coming from early and absentee voting hint toward a higher-than-normal turnout, Dimick said.

Read more Jackson-area election stories.