MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — As clerks around Michigan prepare for early voting, Muskegon County is already expecting a large turnout.
“We've had people come in already, thinking it'd started already. So that's the excitement of it,” said Muskegon County Clerk Karen D. Buie. “So, I'm really, really excited about seeing what the results are.”
Buie said early voting sites at each precinct in the county would cost around $50,000 each for equipment and labor. That’s why for this year’s elections, they have a consolidated voting site.
“We talked with our clerks around the county and a lot of the smaller jurisdictions were very, very concerned because they didn't have the personnel to run early voting for nine days,” she said.
Except for Dalton and Holton Townships, Muskegon County residents will all be able to cast their ballots early at 1903 Marquette Avenue, door 18.
“When voters come in, they present their identification and our E-poll books, have their registration, and they verify the signatures, and they print their precinct and their ballot, and they can vote in person,” she said.
Because of the county’s efforts, the state is reimbursing 100% of the costs. That saves the county, jurisdictions, workers and voters $1.4 million.
“It's an opportunity to really take the onus off of our clerks because they volunteered to help us during early voting, so everybody takes their turn,” she said. “And it also allows the voters to have another option for voting. They have the absentee ballots. They can vote in person on election day, or they can come and vote early.”
Buie wants a large early voting turnout and said they’re coming up with “outside the box” ideas to encourage turnout. She also wants a large youth turnout.
“I talked to a North Muskegon schools today and we're working on collaborating to do voting inside the schools and teaching them about the voting process,” she said. “So, this is a way to reach out to our youth who are going to be our future leaders, to understand the importance of voting.”
On Oct. 30, Muskegon County-based Thredz will hold a “painting at the polls” event to give voters a chance to express themselves artistically and vote. There will also be food.
“It's totally separate from the voting area, but it's just something you really have to think outside the box to really encourage our young people to come out and vote and see the importance of voting,” she said.
Muskegon County has a zero-tolerance policy for disruption, and there will be security to make sure the day is as safe as possible.
“There's no reason to feel anxious. We are working with all of our emergency services because my highest priority is making sure that our voters and our poll workers and our inspectors, everybody feels safe.”
Buie wants everyone to have faith in the county’s election process. The county has public viewing areas during early voting and day of voting, along with public viewing during the certifying process.
“I really encourage people to come out. Early voting is another option to exercise your right and for those that have to work and may be out of town during election day,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to come vote in person, see the process, and feel safe and secure about their elections.”
To find your polling location, head to the Michigan Voter Information Center and enter your voter information.