KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A lot of voters have said they are disgusted with national politics, and pundits have suggested they might just stay home on Election Day. But pundits have been wrong about a lot of things this election cycle.
Several states including the largest, California, and a number of communities are now predicting a record turnout on Election Day.
Michigan has a record number of registered voters going into November this year.
Reports are coming in from all over the country that elections officials are seeing a rush on requests for absentee and early ballots,which is usually an early predictor of the electorate’s interest. The process of early voting can boost turnout significantly if it provides convenience.
Kalamazoo League of Women Voters President Denise Hartsough says there has been plenty of interest at the events she has attended. She hears a lot of people say that they’re registered to vote and they’re very enthusiastic and emphatic about voting.
Hartsough says she only remembers hearing one person say that their one vote wouldn’t make any difference.
“If they just look at the top of the ticket and they don’t look at the school board, and the regents and all the other things that are down toward the bottom of the ballot, then that is a little sad,” Hartsough said.
She says that’s one reason the league publishes their election guide whenever there is an election, so voters have a non-partisan place to do research on who is running and where they stand. They also post it online.
