Turnout Light, But Election Day Going Smoothly in Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills

This morning's foggy, drizzle-filled start didn't help what was already expected to be a light turnout for today's election in Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. With only a single item for some, and at most three decisions to be made, election officials said most active citizens likely submitted absentee ballots or may even stay home in this off-year election.

At Bloomfield Hills City Hall, where voters will decide a .39-mill levy for full service with the Baldwin Library, voter count was hovering at about 100 by 1 p.m., officials said. Traffic trickled in and out of Precinct 1 inside the Department of Public Safety garage, where voters with children in tow got a close-up look at the fire engine and equipment.

"That helps while the parents get the voting done, but I always make sure to show the children how the ballots go into the machine because it shows how each vote counts and how important that really is," said Precinct Chairwoman Laura Principe.

Absentee counts do appear to be high. Bloomfield Township reported 1,719 absentee ballots were distributed for this election and that 1,240 had already returned before today. They will still be accepted at any respective precincts location until polls close at 8 p.m.

Officials at both Bloomfield Hills City Hall and the Bloomfield Township Clerk's office said there were no problems with machines or voters during the morning.

Stay tuned to Patch for continued election coverage throughout the day and for results after the polls close.