CADILLAC - Northern Michigan county clerks are making a push to finalize preparations for November’s general election.
And with less than one month before Election Day, it’s been a race to the finish to make sure all of the security measures are in place.
The Mecosta County Clerk Marcee Purcell said security is on the top of their list for priorities to make sure the election process goes as intended.
“We want to make sure that everyone’s vote is counted as their vote. And nobody and everybody’s representing themselves, properly.
She said there’s a lot more preparation that goes into the November election.
“We were planning for the November general before the August election was done. So, one after the other,” said Purcell.
Purcell said there are security measures in place every step of the way including when people register to vote or request an absentee ballot.
“The clerks are checking their signatures to make sure that the correct person is requesting it and that their signatures matching what’s on their voter registration. When it’s returned, they’re checking their signature again to make sure that the person signed the envelope that voted the ballot. And it’s matching what’s on file,” said Purcell.
There’s also security in place when people go in person.
“They are asked to see identification. There’s many different levels of security that is involved in elections,” said Purcell.
She said as far as security personnel at the different precincts that’s handled locally.
“I’m not sure what, what all the various different townships are doing if they’re going to have people there or not. I don’t really think that we have any reason to believe something’s going to happen, that’s going to be any different than it was for the August election or for the February election,” said Purcell.
She does say they are thinking of bolstering security when the votes are tabulated.
“We count the votes at night. So, we’re here until the last precinct comes in. People don’t come in and vote here, but the clerks bring in their totals at the end of the night,” said Purcell.
Purcell said she’s not sure how big the turn-out will be-it can vary from 40% to 70% depending on precinct but there should be more people voting than the previous two elections this year because of what’s on the ballot is of big interest.
“Well, the presidential, of course, of course. Big Rapids Township has a few races that are going on. So they’ll probably see a larger turnout than normal, I would guess. most of the other races, you know, were decided in August, so not a lot of local races,” said Purcell.
