Detroiters have the option to vote early for the Aug. 5 primary election at one of many voting centers scattered across the city.
Early voting kicked off on Saturday, July 26, giving residents a chance to pick their top choice in candidates to represent them for the next several years. Voting before the primary election is expected to provide Detroiters the flexibility to submit their ballots early and avoid long lines at the polls.
At least 279 ballots had been cast at early voting centers by lunchtime July 28, according to Daniel Baxter, the Detroit Elections Department chief of operations, adding that the city expects to receive between 1,250 and 1,750 early voting ballots. Baxter said 100,541 ballots already have already been mailed or issued to voters as of this weekend, and 35,831 have been returned thus far.
Turnout in the August 2021 primary reached just above 14% and more than 13% in 2017. Voter turnout is expected to reach anywhere between 13-18% for this year’s primary, according to the clerk’s office.
The last day of early voting is Sunday, Aug. 3, otherwise, voters will have a chance to vote at their polling sites on primary day.
Detroit has nine candidates running for mayor to replace Mayor Mike Duggan, who is leaving office to run for Michigan governor. They include, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, former nonprofit executive and City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, City Councilman Fred Durhal III, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, attorney Todd Perkins, Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr., businessmen Joel Haashiim, entrepreneur Jonathan Barlow, and DaNetta Simpson. Jenkins submitted her ballot Monday morning with her husband Carl Bentley.
Here is a list of early voting sites, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for voters:
Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Early voting kicks off in Detroit ahead of August primary election
Reporting by Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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