Leelanau County leads Michigan in Midterm Voter Turnout

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that with 71% turnout (14,367 of 20,123 registered voters), Leelanau County led the state in 2018 midterm voter turnout:

“Our voters do a great job expressing their right to vote,” said Jennifer Zywicki, Leelanau County’s chief deputy clerk. “I think people are excited to vote in our county.”

Leelanau residents routinely participate in elections, also posting the state’s highest turnout in the 2010 midterms with 62 percent, and the second highest turnout in the 2014 midterms at 57 percent.

In the 2016 presidential election, 75 percent of Leelanau’s registered voters headed to the polls.

Keweenaw County, located in the Upper Peninsula’s northernmost tip, came in second in the state this year with 70 percent turnout, but topped the state in 2014 with 60 percent.

Voter turnout was up across the state, with 4.3 million people voting, or 58 percent — more than a million more than voted in the last midterm.

“I am so proud,” said Tricia Denton, president of the Leelanau League of Women Voters. “I couldn’t live in a better community for people who are, regardless of their differences, supportive of each other, who are involved and participate.”

Denton said the county has the highest percentage of voters over 60, an age group that also has the highest voter turnout. Most are retired, are involved in their community and spend their time volunteering, many in election-related activities.

“That’s why Leelanau County also has one of the most active League of Voters in the state,” Denton said.

Glen Arbor Township topped the county with a turnout of more than 76%. Great job, Leelanau voters!