The first elections in Michigan since the state’s first recorded COVID-19 cases will be held Tuesday. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said during Governor Whitmer’s Monday afternoon briefing that the state is doing everything possible to hold the elections safely.
“Shortly after the first case emerged in mid-March, and after my team spoke with clerks from both sides of the aisle, I worked with Governor Whitmer and legislative leaders on the executive order that required local communities to conduct these elections primarily by mail,” said Benson.
One polling location will be open in every precinct in the 33 counties where there are elections on Tuesday for those who are unable to vote by mail. Benson says as of Monday, voter turnout through the mail was around 20%, far above the 12% that is normal for a May election. Most of what’s on the ballot are school funding issues which were unable to be delayed until the August primary or November general election. There are no elections in Berrien or Cass counties, while in Van Buren County, voters will be deciding on a city council seat in Bangor and an Otsego Public Schools bonding proposal in Pine Grove Township.
