Voter turnout up in many Northern Michigan counties

Overall, voter turnout for Tuesday’s primary election was higher than average across the state.

The trend was particularly noticeable in the northwestern Lower Peninsula region, with more than 30 percent of registered voters turning out in several areas. 

Leelanau County had the highest voter turnout of any county in the state at 43.3 percent, according to info from the Michigan Department of State. 

Around 34.5 percent of registered voters in Charlevoix County went to the polls on Aug. 2. This was up from the turnout of 30.9 percent in the 2018 gubernatorial primary. Several precincts in the county showed turnout numbers over 40 percent, such as the City of Charlevoix’s Ward 1 with 45.3 percent, Bay Township with 43.9 percent and Eveline Township with 41.9 percent. 

The surrounding counties of Emmet, Cheboygan and Otsego also saw high voter turnout.

Emmet County saw 34.5 percent of registered voters participate in the primary election, up almost 2 percent from the 2018 gubernatorial primary.

Cheboygan County had a 32.3 percent voter turnout on Tuesday, and Otsego County had a 30.5 percent turnout. 

But, some counties did see lower numbers of voter turnout on Tuesday. For example, Chippewa County's turnout was down by over 2 percent compared to 2018, with just a 26.1 percent turnout.

Emmet County Clerk Suzanne Kanine said things ran smoothly during Tuesday's election.

 “All of the local clerks did a great job,” she said.

The general election will take place on Nov. 8.

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Contact reporter Annie Doyle at adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com