DETROIT – Despite a rainy final day of early in-person voting, a steady stream of voters continued showing up Sunday at Clark Park in Southwest Detroit to cast ballots ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Voters like Keauna Cornelius said timing and convenience helped push her to vote early.
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“I was out doing community service, actually. And I came in – I was done – and I was like why not? I’m here already so let’s get it over with," Cornelius said.
Coming into the weekend, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office reported about 832,000 residents had voted early — 11.3% of registered voters — a 78% increase compared to the 2024 primary election.
When mail-in absentee ballots are included, the number of votes cast statewide climbs to more than 1 million, according to the state.
“There’s no surprise that voters like to be able to vote when and where it works for them,” said Matt Friedman, a spokesman for the nonpartisan organization Detroit Votes.
Friedman said voters who still have an absentee ballot should avoid mailing it at this point and instead use an official drop box.
“You can put your absentee ballot in any of those drop boxes, and it will be collected, and it will be counted like every other ballot, and you have until 8:00 on Tuesday night to do that,” Friedman said.
Michigan’s statewide early in-person voting period ends Sunday. Under a change in state election law, cities can extend early voting until 4 p.m. Monday, the day before Election Day.
Six communities statewide have Monday voting, including four in metro Detroit:
- Harrison Township
- Erie Township and the city of Luna Pier
- Lincoln Park
- Van Buren Township
Cornelius said she also brought her three girls with her as a reminder of why she votes.
“Set an example for when it’s time for them, they’re encouraged to go and vote,” she said.
Many voters told Local 4 the biggest benefit of early voting is convenience — and the growing turnout numbers appear to reflect that. Election Day is Tuesday, and polls will be open until 8 p.m.
Visitmi.gov/vote to check your voter registration, find your polling location, or track your mail ballot.