While township roads are lined with candidate signs and campaign slogans, local officials are expecting a low voter turnout for the Aug. 3 primary election.
Both Joan McCrary, Independence Township clerk, and Nancy Strole, Springfield Township clerk, are expecting low turnouts for their townships.
‘Historically the turnout has been low because people overlook or don’t realize the importance of the primary,? Strole said.
McCrary is expecting a 20 percent turnout for Independence while Strole estimates 25 percent for Springfield.
‘The turnout is usually not very high,? McCrary said. ‘It’s always lower than what we want it to be.?
Independence Township has 24,400 registered voters and Springfield has more than 10,000. Voter turnout for 2002 primary in Independence was 19 percent and 25 percent in Springfield.
Strole attributes a slightly higher estimation for voter turnout in Springfield this year to the increased number of absentee ballots collected so far. The township has received more absentees than in both the 2000 and 2002 primary elections.
‘Based on that I would love to see a 30 percent turnout or higher in the primary,? Strole said. ‘But what I expect and what I hope are two different matters.?
Both McCrary and Strole agree absentee ballots are a good way to stay involved in local government when a resident is not able to go to the polls to vote on election day.
‘We try to make every effort to make it as easy as possible for the individual,? Strole said.
Both townships are still currently handing out absentee applications and receiving completed ballots. The ballots will be accepted until the polls close on election day.
‘People are often confused about the primary,? McCrary said. ‘In Independence Township, this is our election. We’re pretty much a one-party town.?
For smaller municipalities, such as Independence and Springfield, the primary election is often represented by just one party. In this case, this year’s ballot is primarily Republican. When there is no opposing party running against the Republican candidate, a winner is ‘decided? in August and not November.
Because of this confusion, voter turnout for the primary tends to be very low.
‘The primary can be as or more important than the general election,? Strole said. ‘For many townships, the primary is the general election.?
Township offices will be open the Saturday before the election, July 31, to hand out absentee ballot applications. Strole recommends not waiting until the last minute to hand in a completed absentee as poll officials must spend Tuesday evening counting votes.
McCrary believes there aren’t a great deal of ‘burning issues? in Independence Township or at the higher levels this election, and expects the voter turnout to reflect that.
Four years ago the township saw a 28 percent voter turnout during the primary. McCrary attributes that to a great deal of township offices up for election.
Strole, on the other hand, hopes turnout will increase in Springfield due to ‘spirited races? for many of the township’s vacant positions, but realizes many residents are away during the summer and use that as an excuse not to vote.
‘If you know you’ll be out of town or are eligible for an absentee ballot, they (residents) just call to be placed on the application list,? Strole said.
Regardless of how ‘hot? an election year might be, both clerks stress the importance of residents actively participating in their local governments.
‘The township controls your daily life,? McCrary said.
Strole also felt the same way.
‘I guess if I had a message, it would be to vote. Vote in the primary. I can’t stress how important it can be,? Strole said.
Polls for this year’s primary election will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. For information on what precinct to vote in or more information on absentee ballots, call the Independence Township clerk’s office at (248) 625-5111 or Springfield Township at (248) 625-4802.
Full information is available with the clerk’s offices on absentee ballot qualifications and requirements. Sample ballots are also available.
General information about Michigan’s primary elections can be found online at www.michigan.gov/sos. The last day to register to vote for the November general election is Oct. 4.