Poll watchers in mid-Michigan say they expect today’s voter turnout to be about the same as the 2008 presidential election. However, surge voters could play a large role in the outcome.
The Lansing-based public opinion research firm EPIC-MRA is conducting telephone exit polls of area voters. President Bernie Porn says about five million Michigan voters are expected to cast their ballot today, much like in 2008. He says there’s less enthusiasm this election among Obama supporters; but:
“A lot of that is catching up and changing," Porn says. "As we have neared the election, the so-called ‘surge voters,’ where a lot of them that are younger voters are now engaged and participating more than it was assumed that they would be.”
At the congressional level, both the 2008 and 2010 elections saw partisan waves; first the Democrats in 2008 and then Republicans in 2010. No such surprise is likely this year, as the GOP is expected to retain control of the U.S. House.