TRAVERSE CITY - Early in-person voting is designed to make casting your ballot easier and less stressful. Especially for those who don’t want to wait in line on Election Day.
“Today, we have 164 people. In August, the most we had in a day was 44. So, a really good turnout and 655 so far for this week. And we started on Sunday,” says Debra Brantley, Traverse City Precinct 4 chair.
Voters are taking advantage of early in-person voting, beating potentially long lines on Nov. 5.
“I’m glad that I have it. You know, it’s a nice sunny day today and who knows what voting day will be like. And this gives me a chance to wander on over here leisurely. And I was able to get my ballot right away and not have to wait in line,” shares voter Michelle Krohn.
Krohn reflects on times where she was anxious to cast her vote.
“I have also usually voted right on the day. And there’s always that stress of having to get there, you know, on time and not missing it. If today I missed out, I’d still be able to go on voting day. So just more opportunities,” she says.
For shop owner Chase Gibbard, early voting gives him the flexibility he needs.
“I own a shop in town. I actually just put up a 30-minute sign just to come over to vote early. So, I have a shop in the commons in the grand traverse and it’s great that I can get that time to just come over here and do it real quick,” explains Krohn.
For other voters who may not be in town, they also can mark voting off their to do list.
“It helps a lot because people going on trips or we’ve had a couple people couldn’t do it because of weddings and stuff like that and they’re like, hey, I can do it before I go. And it’s really worked out for people to come in and get their vote,” says Brantley.
They even saw a first-time voter, who was able to cast their vote without the stress of a busy Election Day.
“We have new voters this year. We had a lady today who was 73 and never voted before, and this is her first vote. So, it’s been really nice, very important,” shares Brantley.