KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Absentee ballots are becoming a game changer for some local elections. Several candidates that were in the lead are now trailing behind as more absentee ballots are being tallied.
Long lines were reported in some areas as polls closed at 8 p.m. Voters in Paw Paw and other parts of Southwest Michigan waited in line until about 10 p.m. to cast their ballot.
For the most part it was smooth voting around the city of Kalamazoo. Clerk Scott Borling says precincts were steady, “very manageable,” and no safety issues were reported. Precincts were a little busier earlier in the day and after 5 p.m. but no extremely long lines were reported in the city.
Borling says some results will come in quicker than others. “I want to get this done as soon as possible while being accurate and honoring the process,” Borling stated, “I’d love to be done by tomorrow and I do think that’s obtainable for us.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been reiterating for weeks that election results will not be instant and it could take until Friday before Michigan has its complete “unofficial” election counts. She changed that deadline during an election night press conference though and said results may come in 24 hours instead of about 80 hours.
Results are not final until they are certified by the Board of Canvassers.
Here are some of the elections we will be following throughout Kalamazoo County. We will update them throughout the night and into early Wednesday morning if needed, as well as all Wednesday. Local updates can also be heard on 590AM & 106.9FM WKZO.
NOTE: These polling numbers only reflect the precincts within Kalamazoo County.
These are the most updated numbers as of 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. Not all absentee ballots are included at this time. Kalamazoo County Clerk Tim Snow says they’re still waiting on absentee ballots from the city of Kalamazoo, although those numbers began updating around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday night.
— Representative in Congress, 6th District —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Jon Hoadley (Democrat) – 71,502
- Fred Upton (Republican) – 65,059
- Jeff DePoy (Libertarian) – 3,244
- John Lawrence (Green Party) – 1,662
- Jerry Solis – 0
Around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, Fred Upton declared victory.
The race was officially called with Upton as the winner around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
— Representative in State Legislature 60th District —
[36 of 36 precincts reporting]
- Julie M. Rogers (Democrat) – 30,037
- Gary Mitchell (Republican) – 10,042
- Stephanie L. Moore (Write-in) – 2,179
Julie Rogers is the projected winner as the Associated Press has already called the race.
— Representative in State Legislature 61st District —
[41 of 41 precincts reporting]
- Christine Morse (Democrat) – 31,885
- Bronwyn Haltom (Republican) – 27,089
— Kalamazoo County Sheriff —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Richard C. Fuller (Democrat) –77,512
- Shannon D. Bagley (Republican) – 61,297
— Clerk and Register of Deeds —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Meredith Place (Democrat) – 75,863
- Mona Lisa Watson (Republican) – 58,393
— Kalamazoo County Treasurer —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Thomas Whitener (Democrat) – 70,258
- Mary Balkema (Republican) – 66,855
— Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Jason L. Wiersma (Democrat) – 77,133
- Joanna Croes (Republican) – 57,369
— Kalamazoo County Housing Proposal —
[107 of 107 precincts reporting]
- Yes – 66,918
- No – 63,610
— Comstock Charter Township Proposal —
[7 of 7 precincts reporting]
- Yes – 4,788
- No – 3,274
— Oshtemo Charter Township Proposal —
[10 of 10 precincts reporting]
- Yes – 4,547
- No – 7,202
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More election results can be found here.
For more information, WOOD-TV will be updating election results for most of west and southwest Michigan on their website. More information can be found here.
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