Detroit voters avoid election day rush by voting absentee

Michigan does not have early voting but voters can take advantage of absentee ballots to cast vote before election day

DETROIT – Detroit absentee voters crowded into two polling locations Friday at the Northwest and Eastern campuses of Wayne County Community College.

The locations were added to relieve the usual crush of absentee voters at the Detroit Elections Office.

Clerk Janice Winfrey says 6,500 ballots have been cast at the two sites. Paulette Bonner waited two hours, but wasn't complaining.

"It's better than November 6th when I could wait four or five hours," she said.

Clerks do not predict delays that long, but say voters should study the issues and candidates before coming to vote.

"There are a lot of commercials on the proposals. Voters are bombarded with information," said Warren City Clerk Paul Wojno. "Individuals are having a hard time weeding through the proposals."

He says about 12,000 absentee ballots had already been turned in Friday afternoon.

Michigan residents can still get absentee ballots from their local clerks' offices as late as 4:00 p.m. Monday. However, if they wait that long, they have to immediately vote at that location.

All clerk's offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.