With a wave of early ballots cast, Michigan has witnessed a surge in voters utilizing the early, in-person option ahead of Election Day. As per the data shared by the Secretary of State's office, approximately 1.2 million individuals exercised their right to vote at early, in-person voting sites across the state, setting a precedent in the state’s first presidential election to offer this option, as reported by The Detroit News. This turnout accounts for over a fifth of the total ballots cast in the 2020 presidential election. When combined with the absentee ballots received, which total nearly 2 million, the figures suggest that early voters represent nearly 44% of active registered voters in Michigan.
The burgeoning numbers of early voters match the roughly 3.2 million absentee ballots from 2020, signaling a potential shift in voter preferences. As mentioned by The Detroit News, cities like Detroit saw significant early voting activity, with Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey remarking, "I am so pleased with turnout." Winfrey added that despite lines, "Nobody’s mad about being in line. And that’s the part that I’m thankful for."
Rural areas also felt the uptick in engagement, with a teacher from Shiawassee County being among those who appreciated the convenience of early voting. "Everybody that I know has voted early," Chris Ferguson told The Detroit News, while busy running errands. In contrast, urban and suburban localities like Grand Rapids have also seen a steady influx, with over 20,000 early voters and 30,000 absentee ballot returns, as Grand Rapids City Clerk Joel Hondorp detailed to WZZM 13.
The final tally came in yesterday, as early voting closed, with data from the Michigan Secretary of State's Office reported by WXYZ showing that more than 1 million Michiganders took advantage of this opportunity. The last-day voters included individuals like Mark Kubik, a Grand Rapids resident who sought to circumvent the potentially long lines on Tuesday, telling WZZM 13, "I was looking at my week going, wow, I've got a lot to do on Tuesday, and I need to make sure I vote."
Simultaneously, efforts to promote turnout didn't lag, as showcased by an early voting party held by the Grand Rapids Proactive Project and Thredz.org, aimed at spurring participation. "It's definitely important for Black and Brown people within our marginalized communities to come out and vote," Marria McIntosh from Thredz.org said while emphasizing the importance of representation at the polls, according to WZZM 13. Individuals, particularly those who've yet to mail their absentee ballots, are being encouraged to deliver them in person to ensure their votes are counted on Election Day, now just around the corner.
