KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo County Clerk Tim Snow expects turn-out to be at or below where it was four years ago, despite all the money spent and the energy expended by candidates over the last two years, and all the controversy and conflict that has been stirred up.
We made a couple of quick checks this morning and there was quite a line stretching out the door and around the building at the Westwood Fire Station at about 7:45 a.m.
Shortly after a check at Precinct 4 at the West Main School, there was hardly any line at all but most of the voting stalls were busy.
Snow said mid-morning and mid-afternoons may be the best time to go if you want to minimize your waits.
Local Party officials expect it to be a busy day for poll workers. Republican Chairman Scott McGraw says they are seeing a lot of excitement.
“It’s been unbelievable the number of people turning out to get Trump signs, to volunteer for Trump and all that, I have never seen anything like it at the local level,” McGraw said,
McGraw said they have also seen people who don’t usually vote come out this year.
Democratic Chair Shannon Sykes says their base is also fired up thanks to Trump, but for a completely different reason, and as for new recruits.
“I have actually had republicans, you know, sort of slouch their way into my office and say, I never voted for a Democrat — ever but I will this year, and I need a Clinton yard sign,” Sykes said.
County commissioners, sheriffs, prosecutors, township officials, state representatives and School Trustees are all up for election today.
Polling places will close at 8 p.m. but anyone who is on line at closing time will still get to vote.
