LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Today is Michigan’s primary election day. Both Democrats and Republicans up and down the ballot are facing off to secure their spot representing their party. Before election officials can focus on the candidates, they have to ensure the polls are safe for voters casting their secure ballots.
Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said her role building protections for this election began months ago. She said her job starts with programming and distributing that to her local clerks, city and township, before they host public accuracy testing meetings.
Voters can cast their ballots up to 40 days early with an absentee ballot. Opening up just over a month for voters to participate until polls close at 8 PM local time tonight.
Byrum said she expects a first round of numbers may come in close to 9 PM local time, but that won’t be the last time those ballots are counted.
“There’s still an opportunity for aggrieved candidates to file for a recount. Recounts are done by hand, by humans.” Byrum explained. “Then there’s an opportunity for lawsuits, and then there’s a constitutional requirement for audits, which is a hand tally of specified races and specified precincts.”
Democrats and Republicans are working as administrators across the state. Thousands of election workers, precinct workers, and election inspectors are helping their neighbors exercise their right to vote. All coordinated by the 83 county clerks and over 1,500 local clerks, all working together.
In Ingham County, the polls were busy from the start. With absentee and early voting, Byrum said they saw 21% registered voter participation before the doors even opened on election day.
“This one does feel different,” Byrum said. “The top of the ticket, there is a very contentious US Senate campaign, some contentious US House campaigns. A lot is going on this election, so people are very engaged for this election.”
The expectation is to have an idea of which way the tides are turning before midnight, but those are still unofficial results. Every county board of canvassers, 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans, has to meet to go through every ballot to make sure there is an eligible voter file behind it. Ultimately, they’ll certify the election.
Polls close at 8 p.m. local time, but in Michigan, the constitution protects our right to same-day voter registration. Even if you are not yet registered to vote, as long as you are 18 and a U.S. citizen, you can go to your local city or township clerk’s office to register. Anyone in line at your polling location by 8 p.m. is able to cast their ballot.
