Voters Head to the Polls on Election Day

Pat Cousins sat patiently in the Dexter Senior Center reviewing ballot procedures inbetween greeting residents who were arriving to vote between their lunch break Tuesday morning.

"I've been helping out for a number of years now," she said with a warm smile.

Cousins was one of several volunteers working at the Scio Township Precinct 1 location during today's election.

"We've had a steady stream of people all morning," Cousins said.

A total of 94 residents voted as of 11 a.m., she said.

"For this type of election, the numbers are pretty good," Cousins said. "There are no major candidates on the ballot, so normally turnout is less than during a presidential election year."

The ballot includes four candidates running for two seats on the Dexter Community Schools Board of Education, two millage proposals for Dexter Township, and a Washtenaw Intermediate School District special education millage renewal.

Dexter Township Election Inspector Janis Miller said for precinct 1 and 3, which includes voters in the Chelsea, Dexter and Pinckney school districts, volunteers have helped 120 walk-in voters as of 11:30 a.m. and have received 182 absentee ballots for Dexter, 23 for Pinckney and 131 for Chelsea.

"We were expecting half of that amount and it's not even noon yet," Miller said.

Township Clerk Harley Rider said the election has run smoothly so far and he expects to have results sent to the county clerk's office soon after polls close at 8 p.m.

Julie Schumaker, a candidate running for a seat on the Dexter Community Schools Board of Trustees, said she is encouraging residents to get out and vote.

"I encourage voters to go to the polls and vote on both the special education millage renewal and school board election. As we have seen demonstrated in past elections -- both local and national -- ballot issues and candidates can be decided by a very small margin.  It's important to exercise your right to vote and make your voice heard," she said.

To view a copy of the sample ballot and to locate your voting precinct, visit the county's website. Voters are asked to bring a driver's license or a photo ID with them to their precinct.