by: WOODTV.com staff
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A record-high 2.5 million votes were cast in the Tuesday primary, the largest turnout Michigan has ever seen for an August primary, according to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Michigan's previous record was 2.2 million in 2018.
The results showed that nearly two thirds of the votes were cast absentee. With more than 1.6 million absentee ballots returned, Michigan set a new record for any election.
Secretary of State Benson and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, both Democrats, as well as local clerks, have called on the Republican-led Legislature to pass reforms that would allow clerks to prepare — but not count — the ballots early. Right now, they cannot start until 7 a.m. on election day
Poll workers still are needed in November, Benson noted. You can sign up to work the election at Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP. Benson said her office will be working with companies, labor unions, sports teams and colleges to recruit poll workers. On Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons loaned staff to help count votes, and DTE Energy and the Service Employees International Union aided in recruiting.
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