8/5/14 - The majority of municipal clerks reported extremely light voter turnout at polling locations across Livingston County today. Turnout is typically low for primary elections and the rain may have been a factor later in the day and early evening. Livingston County Elections Supervisor Joan Runyan told WHMI that that all clerks were reporting low turnout, with the exception of Putnam and Handy Townships. She says the heavier than normal turnout in Putnam Township was likely attributed to voters deciding a millage renewal for the fire department as well as an operational millage request from the Pinckney Community Public Library. In Handy Township, polling locations were said to be running steady. Voter turnout in Green Oak Township appeared to be about 15%, which Clerk Mike Sedlak told WHMI is right on par for this kind of election. Sedlak said turnout was good this morning and held steady throughout the day before the rain came. He noted that it picked up dramatically in the afternoon, resulting in a turnout on par with that of four years ago. Genoa Township Clerk Polly Skolarus reported very low turnout. She told WHMI that as of about 11am, one of the polling places only had 40 persons voting, so thatâs really low. However, Skolarus noted they have a lot of residents that vote absentee in the township and were busy processing those ballots. She says over 3,000 applications were sent out and 2,200 people responded. County-wide, turnout for the 2012 August Primary Election stood at 20.62%, compared to a larger-than-usual turnout in 2010 of 27.22%. There were a number of contested congressional, state and local legislative races on todayâs primary ballot. Voters were also deciding several proposed millage issues for roads in Cohoctah and Howell Townships, schools in Fowlerville and fire protection in Putnam Township and Green Oak Township, which also has a police millage renewal on the ballot. There are also millage requests for the Hamburg and Pinckney libraries. Proposal 1 was the only statewide question on the ballot, which would allow for the continued phase out of personal property taxes businesses pay on equipment. Election results will be reported as they become available on the Livingston County Clerkâs webpage. A link is posted below. (JM)
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