MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – This primary election day, voters around Marquette showed up to make their decisions for statewide officials, county officials, and local millages.
With an average of over 20 names and two sides to each ballot, this year’s primary election was nowhere short of active.
“Even people who thought ahead and got an absentee ballot had a lot to think about on this ballot,” said Marquette City Clerk, Kyle Whitney.
While the absentee option becomes more common, Tuesday’s polls around the city of Marquette were still full of in-person voters.
In the county, two millages were at the hands of the voters, including an expansion of veteran services and a renewal of MarqTran operations. The 96th District Court Judge position and a Marquette County Commission seat were also of high importance.
Whitney says these races have tipped the scales of voter turnout at certain precincts.
“Precinct two is a smaller precinct, but it’s also the only precinct in the city that doesn’t have a county board race on it,” he said. “I think the interest in those county-level seats might be driving a bit of interest across the others.”
As evenly numbered years often bring more voters to the table, Marquette County Clerk Linda Talsma says she expected this primary ballot to increase that number significantly this year.
“Normally a primary runs between about 20-28% of a turnout,” she said. “We’re really trying to get those numbers to about 40%, and I think there’s enough on this ballot that’s going to make that happen.”
Although results could be announced on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, these are not finalized until certified by the county board of canvassers. That meeting will take place publically on Thursday, August 6 at 9 a.m. in the Marquette county clerk’s office.
