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Could be a long election night Tuesday as absentee ballots need to be counted

Voting booths photo
Wikipedia

Elections officials are warning people should not expect early results from tomorrow’s primary elections, where voters will choose nominees for Congress, the Legislature and local offices A surge in absentee voting means it will take longer to count absentee ballots once the polls close at 8 P-M. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says the August primaries will also serve as a test for Michigan’s readiness to handle the higher-turnout November elections.

“This year’s elections are taking place with new mandates from voters and amidst a health and economic crisis unlike anything we’ve experienced before,” Benson said. 

A 2018 voter-approved amendment makes it easier for Michigan voters to cast absentee ballots. And there’s more interest in voting absentee due to the COVID-19 health threat. Local elections officials say they’re also taking steps to ensure the health and safety of elections workers and people who show up at polls to vote in person.

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