MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – Spring elections typically see low voter turnout. However, this year may prove otherwise. Marquette Township Clerk Randy Ritari says early voting and mail-in ballots are an indication of overall voter participation.
“School elections in May are usually low turnouts, but I looked yesterday, we sent out 980 apps, 83 absentee ballots. I have over 300 back as of today, so that’s a 30% return on my absentee ballots. So that’s really good,” said Ritari.
On the ballot for this election is a bond proposal for the Marquette Area Public Schools. They want to borrow money to upgrade outdated and failing facilities.
“They’re trying to go out and get some money to upgrade a lot of these things that they need to upgrade, because they’re just old, they need to be upgraded. And so they’re trying to get started right now with what they can do with the millage,” explained Ritari.
With election integrity on the minds of many Americans. Ritari says that, in his time on the job, irregularities are extremely rare.
“In my 16 years of doing this, we might have been off by one. One count was off, one in those many years. So I think that’s good,” said Ritari.
The deadline for registering to vote is not too far away. Rutari breaks down the upcoming deadlines.
“So, Monday, April 20, is the deadline to register by mail or online for the May election. After that date, you have to come into the clerk’s office and register all the way to election day,” said Ritari.
And if needed, you can always register on the day of the election. Make sure to have a government ID and proof of residency.
For information on the Marquette Area Public Schools bond proposal, please follow the link below.
