Low Voter Turnout Marks Election Day Across Montcalm County

Voter participation in Montcalm County’s recent election was notably low, with overall turnout reaching just under 18%. The election, held on July 10, 2023, included a ballot proposal for the Tri County Area Schools sinking fund, which ultimately did not pass. In Winfield Township, only 25% of registered voters cast their ballots, reflecting a larger trend of minimal engagement across the region.

In the city of Stanton, only three unopposed positions were available on the ballot. Clerk Sarah Johnson expressed her surprise at the low turnout, as in-person voting barely exceeded double digits, with only 15 voters showing up. The re-elections of Charlies Miel, Jacky McGill, and Lewis Corwin to the City Commission were secured with 89, 77, and 75 votes respectively, with the majority of votes coming from absentee ballots. Overall participation in Stanton was less than 12%, with just 107 voters.

Election officials noted that such low turnout is common when only unopposed candidates appear on the ballot. Johnson remarked, “Unfortunately, when it’s only commissioners that are going unopposed on a ballot, voters do not tend to feel as compelled to get out and vote because they know the outcome of the election.”

In Winfield Township, Clerk CaroleSue Chase-Stout began the day with seven election workers but had to dismiss two due to the low voter turnout. “I had the best group of election inspectors in the county,” Chase-Stout stated, adding that they used their downtime to learn from more experienced staff.

Montcalm County’s overall turnout was significantly lower than neighboring Ionia County, which recorded approximately 22% participation. This increase in Ionia County may be attributed to a bond proposal for Ionia Public Schools that narrowly passed.

In Portland, a city in Ionia County, three unopposed candidates for City Council were elected: Patrick Fitzsimmons, Cena Schneider, and Barney Boyer received 465, 414, and 390 votes, respectively, with a turnout of 16%.

Clerk Kristen Millard noted that voting proceeded smoothly across all precincts in Montcalm County. “It was a very quiet day,” she described, adding that no unusual incidents were reported. She attributed the low turnout to the nature of special elections, which often feature limited ballot issues.

Election officials across the region expressed hopes for improved voter engagement in future elections. In Carson City, a shift to even-year elections for City Council was previously implemented to encourage higher participation rates.

Despite the subdued turnout, Ionia County Clerk Greg Geiger praised the performance of new clerks at their first election, stating, “They did an excellent job.” He noted that the straightforward nature of the ballot items and smaller turnout made it an ideal situation for novice clerks to gain experience.

As Montcalm County reflects on this election day, local officials are considering strategies to enhance voter engagement, particularly for elections where candidates are unopposed. The continued challenge remains to motivate residents to participate in the democratic process, even when elections may seem predictable.