Taylor Pinson

Washtenaw County election officials are predicting a "modest" level of voter turnout today. and the City of Milan are the only communities with issues or candidates on the ballot. The county’s Director of Elections, Ed Golembiewski, says there are multiple reasons they expect only around 15% of eligible voters will cast a ballot this election.

Washtenaw County officials are anticipating up to 90% of the votes cast in next week’s election will come from absentee ballots. Recent changes to Michigan’s election laws have made it easier to request an absentee ballot. The county’s Director of Elections, Ed Golembiewski, says a lot of Washtenaw County residents are using the option. Golembiewski says that process is also making it easier for people to participate in elections, which is also helping to boost voter turnout.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan says the number of out-of-state patients seeking assistance from them has tripled since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the overall number of people coming to the state for a procedure is up 66%. Ashlea Phenicie is the Vice President of Communications for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. She says they’ve had to take additional steps to handle the growing demand.