Public Media from Michigan State University

Voter Turnout Strong; Absentee Ballots Increase

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Voting sign in Lansing, Michigan
Reginald Hardwick

The big story for Michigan Primary 2018 may be the heavy turnout. 

County clerks in Ingham and Eaton counties reported strong voter participation today. But there have been no complaints about long lines.

"Voter participation is up from previous primary elections," said Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum.

When it comes to absentee voting, the State of Michigan said 701,178 absentee ballots were requested for this year’s primary.  575,638 ballots or 82 percent of them have already been turned in.

That’s more than all absentee ballots sent out or returned in 2014. 

COUNTY ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Clinton requested: 5,720, returned: 4,749

Eaton requested: 9,627, returned: 8,389

Genesee requested: 23,439, returned: 19,538

Ingham requested: 22,244, returned: 18,758

Ionia requested: 2,306, returned: 2,045

Jackson requested: 8,234, returned: 6,870

Kalamazoo requested: 17,401, returned: 14,114

Kent requested: 44,204, returned: 33,964

Livingston requested:  19,707, returned: 16,428

Shiawassee requested: 3,602, returned: 2,737

Washtenaw requested: 25,262, returned: 20,744

Wayne requested: 127,305, returned: 101,227

State of Michigan requested: 701,178, returned: 575,638

Source: Fred Woodhams, Communications Office, Michigan Department of State 

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