Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prompting a surge in absentee ballots — and a historic presidential election pushing voters to the polls — Detroit election officials are predicting a relatively low voter turnout days before Election Day.
Officials are projecting a 50% voter turnout and have noted fewer absentee ballots than they previously estimated (about 165,000, down from the expected 200,000 minimum). The projected voter turnout is still higher than the 2016 election, but falls below the turnout in the 2012 and 2008 elections, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday (October 30).
"We want people to have confidence in the process," Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey told reporters Thursday (October 29). "Your vote matters."
"We expect and anticipate a 50% turnout," Winfrey continued. "Is that low, in my opinion? Yes. We're looking for that other 50%. We have over half a million voters and every voter counts. And we want every voter to show up and vote in this election."
Earlier this month, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson urged the millions of absentee voters in the state to drop off their ballots in person rather than drop them in the mail to avoid any potential postal delays. Any ballots received after 8 p.m. on November 3 can’t be counted. Michigan residents can still register to vote through November 3, and can request absentee ballots through November 2.
Michigan election officials are encouraging “everyone to please be patient,” preparing for ballot-counting to take longer this election with the influx of mail-in ballots.
Photo: Getty Images