Winner in Tuesday's primary? Absentee voters, who stole the show with 76% of total ballots

LANSING — Turnout was up slightly in Lansing's primary election Tuesday and expanded use of absentee ballots was a hit.

More than 7,000 of the 9,241 voters in the primary cast absentee ballots, Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope said. That's more than the total turnout of 6,987 voters in the comparable August 2015 primary.

Overall turnout was still relatively low, with just over 11% of registered Lansing voters casting ballots in the at-large race, which narrowed down the field of City Council candidates.

"These elections are always a little bit sleepy," Swope said.

Still, Swope noted Tuesday's voter participation was higher than the 8.7% turnout recorded four years ago. The August 2015 race was similar to Tuesday's election because it was a council primary with no mayoral race and no state or national issues on Lansing ballots.

In all, Tuesday's election saw 2,254 more voters turn out compared to four years ago.

Effects of 'Promote the Vote' passage

A whopping 76% of the voters who turned out for Lansing's at-large race this summer voted absentee.

Tuesday's primary was the first citywide election following voter approval of a 2018 statewide ballot initiative that established same-day voter registration and expanded absentee voting. 

Before 2019, voters under 60 years old had to cite a specific reason, such as being out of town on Election Day, for voting absentee. A ballot initiative called "Promote the Vote" ensured that Michiganders of all ages could vote absentee without providing a specific reason. 

Swope estimated about a dozen Lansing residents took advantage of same-day voter registration by signing up on Tuesday to vote.

"Every election is important," Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said. "Some elections have lower turnout than others. Odd-year primary voter turnouts are typically lower."

However, the robust participation of absentee voters this election cycle is a "wonderful" indicator, Byrum said. 

To be added to Lansing's permanent absentee voter list, call 517-483-4133 or visit the city clerk's website.

Election results will be unofficial until they are certified by the county's Board of Canvassers.

More election news:

Lansing election results: 4 incumbents, 3 challengers on November ballot

Meridian Township, Potterville area voters approve bond, millage proposals

Contact Sarah Lehr at (517) 377-1056 or slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr. 

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