Primary Election Update: Voter Turnout Appears to Be Low Around Northville

It's primary election day and voters around Northville have hit the polls in the city and township. Though the numbers appear varied, turnout appears to be low.

Here are some updates that we'll continue to post throughout election day. The polls are open until 8 p.m. Not sure where you should be voting? See

2 p.m.

At , where township voters in Precincts 7 and 12 cast their votes, turnout was light, election workers said.

Seventh Precinct chairperson Judy Costigan said that 69 people cast votes. She added that she did not anticipate many voters would physically come to the polls because the precinct is largely made up of an older population who might prefer absentee ballot voting. Costigan added that compared to the last election, she anticipated the numbers would be higher because of all of the township offices decided in this election. For the office of supervisor and treasurer, Republican candidates face no Democratic challengers.

Still, she said "we have no idea how many absentee ballots there are." That factor could contribute to the low number at the polls.

Across the way, 12th Precinct chairperson Joseph McCallef said 140 people voted. He anticipated that by the end of the day, that figure might double.

He said there haven't been any election problems in his precinct today but that there were a few questions asked about how to support a write-in candidate. There are write-in candidates for the 11th Congressional District seat held previously by Thaddeus McCotter.

It may be a longer than usual night for election workers who have to write down every version of the write-in candidates' names during tabulation.

2:30 p.m.

Outside of , where the two most populated precincts vote, candidates were passing literature and meeting with voters.

Among them was State Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth), who is seeking re-election, current township trustee and candidate . Roosen is vying for the position of township supervisor and is running against and . Heath is running against four other Republicans for a township trustee seat.

Heath said of the low turnout, "It's a little bit disappointing."

"I want to continue to encourage people to come out," she said. "Be part of the process."

2:40 p.m.

Inside Northville High School, about five people were standing at voting booths.

Chairperson Debbie Teichman, of the 4th Precinct, said about 160 voters have hit the polls today.

She said there have not been any problems or questions about casting a vote for a write-in candidate.

"It's been very smooth," Teichman said.

Also in the high school cafeteria were voters of the 3rd Precinct. Chairperson Christine Robinette said about 184 people voted.

3:30 p.m.

Turnout was steady at the city of Northville's 1st Precinct, said precinct chairperson Jan Paver.

"It's higher than I thought," she said. "I didn't expect a lot of people to show up but it's been pretty steady."

She expects that the write-in candidates for the 11th Congressional District will hold up vote tallies later than usual, though no one had asked about it or had trouble with it today.

She said 236 voted in person and 216 voted by absentee ballot.