KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Election Day is right around the corner and some local officials are preparing for early voting in West Michigan, which begins statewide on Oct. 26.
Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons said the county has been training hundreds of individuals to prepare for early voting this election season.
"We have trained about 1,500 to 2,000 individuals to go and work our early voting sites, to work our precincts and to work our absentee counting boards," said Posthumus Lyons.
She said the county and voting poll sites are prepared.
"In 2022, voters passed Proposal Two, which introduces, for the first time in Michigan, early voting. We're going to have at least nine days of early voting throughout the state, which is going to begin here shortly. So, we're really gearing up toward making sure that not only are we prepared for election day, but we're prepared for when early voting begins," said Posthumus Lyons.
The nine days of early voting is the first of its kind for a presidential race in Kent County.
On the east side of the state, Detroit started early voting ahead of everyone on Saturday. Posthumus Lyons said for those wanting to vote early, they should expect the same protocols that are applied for voting on election day.
"If you go to your early voting site, you're going to show your ID, you're going to sign the application to get a ballot. You'll show your ID. In Michigan, we require that voters show their ID. If they don't have one, they can sign an affidavit that attests, under the penalty of perjury, that they are who they say they are, and then they're they'll be given a ballot and be able to cast their vote," said Posthumus Lyons.
She said no matter what side of the aisle you're on this upcoming election, it's important that you vote.
"There are so many races down the ballot, including the state legislative your county, your local officials, these decisions that get made at all level of government impact you directly, and so it's your chance to participate in the process. It's your chance to select the people you want representing you and making decisions that impact you," said Posthumus Lyons.
You can register to vote online or by mail by Oct. 21. You can register to vote in person at your local election office through Election Day, Nov. 5.