LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Early voting numbers have already reached millions across the state, leaving some Mid-Michigan workers shocked by the turnout.

Between mail-in ballots and in-person early voting, nearly 2.6 million people in Michigan have already voted. This represents a voter turnout rate of nearly 36% before Election Day even arrives.

“I like the convenience,” said Beth Boyd, who voted Friday at an early voting site in Delta Township. “That you can do it when you have time to do it, and I don’t have to do this one day and get up at 6 a.m. to wait in line at 7 a.m.

It turns out Boyd isn’t alone. Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark said since the day her early voting site opened, people have continued to come.

“On the first day, Saturday, October 26, we turned out votes earlier than in the previous four elections combined,” she said. “It was solid, regular, we in no way expected such a turnout.”

On Friday, November 1, with only two days of early voting remaining, the number of early votes in the cantons had exceeded 2,600 and nearly 9,000 postal ballots were returned.

“We are processing more than one voter per minute during early voting,” Clark said.

There are significant figures at the municipal level, but even greater figures at the county level. So far, Ingham County has cast more than 19,000 total ballots.

In Clinton County, nearly 5,700 ballots were cast, second only to Eaton County, where nearly 7,000 ballots were cast.

Jackson County Clerk Cierra Sowle is still shocked by their turnout.

“In the first six days alone, we saw over 10,000 voters cast early ballots,” she told News 10.

Sowle said feedback on early voting has been positive so far, with many voters telling him they voted early for shorter lines and flexible hours. Voting isn’t over yet, but Sowle said turnout for a presidential election is already shaping up to be a record.

“I definitely consider this a banner year,” she said. “People are really excited to get out and exercise their constitutional right to vote and, as I said, there are now many ways to do that. »

Mid-Michigan residents have the opportunity to vote at an early voting center near them through November 3 in most communities. Otherwise, voters will be able to vote, register on the electoral roll or submit a postal ballot until 8 p.m. on election day.

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