ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Tuesday, Delta County voters were asked to decide the future of two public services at the polls.
At Escanaba Precinct 4, Election Day morning started off fairly quiet. However, foot traffic steadily gained momentum throughout the afternoon.
“Primaries generally are not as busy as the general election that will be coming up in November,” said Precinct 4 poll worker Jodi Westerberg. “However, I think that we were anticipating maybe a lower turnout than we are already having now, so turnout has been good.”
That is largely due to the ballot containing major ballot initiatives. The Delta Solid Waste Management Authority is seeking a renewal of its current millage at a rate of .297 mills. The millage funds landfill operations, a variety of recycling programs, and household hazardous waste disposal. If the millage is not renewed, the Solid Waste Management Authority would need to raise rates by roughly $10 per ton to keep those programs going.
Also on the ballot, the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) is proposing a millage to fund county-wide public transportation. At a rate of .689 mills, it would replace existing millages paid by the two cities and seven townships that DATA currently serves. If it passes, all of Delta County’s fourteen townships would receive service. The millage would also allow DATA to expand hours of operations to include Saturdays and Friday nights. If the millage proposal fails, approximately 90% of rides could be cut.
A poll worker since 2020, Westerberg hopes to see turnout continue growing each primary no matter what is on the ballot.
“Let’s change the pattern of having one in four voters come out,” she said. “I’d love to see three in four voters come out to vote in the primaries. It makes a difference who’s getting on the next ballot in November. Today is important.”
That was the same sentiment of voters who visited the polls on Tuesday, including Michelle Fox.
“I think there can be a lot of skepticism about how important it is,” she said. “If you don’t vote, then it definitely isn’t important. It’s certainly important to get out there and do whatever little part you can to make your vote count.”
Fox even brought her two children along to see how the process works.
“We think voting’s really important since we’re American citizens,” she said. “We’ve traveled over the world where people don’t have the same rights that we do, so we want to make sure that they know how blessed they are to be in this country.”
While primary voter numbers may never reach those of a general election, poll workers were encouraged to see an increased interest this time around.
“This is your chance to voice your vote by coming out to vote,” Westerberg said.
Stay tuned to WZMQ 19 News and wzmq19.com for election results as they come in.
