Election Day 2020: Local results are in, stay tuned for national results by end of day
Editor's note: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has said election results in Michigan could be delayed, due to the large numbers of absentee ballots being cast. Follow along here for live updates as results come in, for local result tallies click here.
Follow along with live updates from the Battle Creek Enquirer as votes are tallied in Battle Creek and Calhoun County. Bookmark this page, or click refresh in your browser window for the most up-to-date local results in real time.
Tallies are in, here are your local results, stay tuned for national
Updated 8:30 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Election Day ran smoothly by most accounts from across Calhoun County. All results are in at the county level, however, these are unofficial until certified (which can take up to two weeks according to Michigan law).
Here's how key local races came out:
- Haadsma wins State House rematch
- Republicans win five countywide races
- Behnke elected Battle Creek mayor
- Reynolds, Faris, Sofia win commission seats
Additional local race tallies – including countywide office, area school boards and ballot initiatives – can be found at the Calhoun County website.
For ongoing updates and live results for national races, visit battlecreekenquirer.com/election/results.
– BCE staff reports
Haadsma wins in rematch with Morgan for House seat
Updated 7:30 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Jim Haadsma has won another term in the Michigan's 62nd district for the House of Representatives after beating Dave Morgan in a rematch of the 2018 race.
Haadsma, a Democrat, beat Morgan, the Republican, with 20,970 votes to 19,893 votes with all 40 precincts reporting unofficial results.
Haadsma was first elected in 2018 and before that served four terms on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners.
Morgan was Pennfield Township Supervisor but did not seek a new term so he could run for the state House seat.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Republicans win county-wide races
Updated 7:30 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Republicans won five county-wide races in Calhoun County, according to unofficial results with 58 of 58 precincts reporting.
For sheriff, the incumbent Steve Hinkley received 37,411 votes while Democrat Brad Palmer had 25,676.
Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert defeated his Democratic opponent, Christopher Vreeland, 37,176 to 25,297.
Kimberly Hinkley, the Republican County Clerk and Register of Deeds held her seat with 37,327 votes compared to Democrat Andy Helmboldt with 25,465.
Treasurer Brian Wensauer, the Republican candidate, won another term with 35,789 votes compared to his challenger, Democrat Michael Evans with 26,269 votes.
Ron Smith, a Repubican, won the race for County Water Resources Commissioner with 35,520 votes to 26,068 for challenger Wayne Kukuk.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Behnke wins popular vote for mayor
Updated 7:30 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Mark Behnke has won a new term in Battle Creek's first popular vote for mayor in 60 years.
With all 21 precincts reporting unofficial results, Behnke had 8,162 votes compared to Lynn Ward Gray with 7,585 and Jerry Steiner with 2,116.
The current mayor, Behnke has been on the city commission for nearly three decades. Gray has been a commissioner since 2009 while Steiner, a writer and long-time resident,has no previous experience in local government.
The mayor had been selected by the rest of the commission and direct election for mayor is the first in the city since 1961.
– Trace Christenson. Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Emmett Township trustee race
Updated 2:50 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Emmett Township has elected four members to its Board of Trustees: Republicans Jim Mead (22%), Richard Brown (21%), James L. Juhnke (21%) and Stephen J. Titus (21%), according to unofficial results. Democrat Gavin Powell got 12%, .
– Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Trump leads in Calhoun County; Biden wins in Albion, Marshall
Updated 2:00 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
With 31 of 58 precincts reporting, Donald Trump has 29,614 votes to Joe Biden’s 18,605 in Calhoun County. Together, those totals represent 47.5% of the county's 106,478 registered voters.
Results have only been partially reported from Battle Creek’s 23 precincts and Emmett Township’s four precincts.
Here are the unofficial results where all precincts have reported:
- City of Albion: Biden 2,152; Trump 942.
- City of Marshall: Biden 1,917; Trump 1,875.
- City of Springfield: Trump 977; Biden 902.
- Albion Township: Trump 460; Biden 187.
- Athens: Trump 946; Biden 354.
- Bedford: Trump 2,829; Biden 2,031.
- Burlington: Trump 741; Biden 293.
- Clarence: Trump 859; Biden 320.
- Convis: Trump 615; Biden 250.
- Eckford: Trump 613; Biden 184.
- Fredonia: Trump 646; Biden 310.
- Lee: Trump 449; Biden 146.
- Leroy: Trump 747; Biden 403.
- Marengo: Trump 829; Biden 398.
- Marshall Township: Trump 1,220; Biden 832.
- Newton: Trump 1,194; Biden 497.
- Pennfield: Trump 3,036; Biden 1,825.
- Sheridan: Trump 574; Biden 254.
- Tekonsha: Biden 581; Trump 258.
– Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Votes still being counted in Calhoun County
Updated 1:51 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Election officials are working into the early hours of the morning to count votes in Calhoun County.
Of the county’s 58 precincts, 31 have reported, representing approximately 53% of ballots cast.
Battle Creek represents the largest portion of votes not yet counted. The high-speed tabulator being used to process absentee ballots failed Tuesday afternoon, and the clerk’s office had to wait for a new machine to be delivered from Grand Rapids, causing the delay.
Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Houser said her office would count ballots "until it's done."
Votes are also still being processed in Emmett Charter Township, with partial reporting in all four precincts.
No results have been reported in Homer or Clarendon townships.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Incumbent Lance leads in Battle Creek's Ward 5
Updated 1:31 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Incumbent City Commissioner Jim Lance holds the lead in the race for Battle Creek’s Ward 5.
Lance holds 51% of the vote tallied so far, with partial reporting in all Ward 5 precincts.
Keona Ackley trails Lance with 25% of the vote so far and Dana Canales Jamierson holds 23%.
Ward 5 is the only Battle Creek ward with an incumbent running for reelection.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Behnke leads in race for Battle Creek mayor
Updated 1:15 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Incumbent Mayor Mark Behnke is leading in Battle Creek's mayoral election.
With partial reporting in all 21 precincts, Behnke holds 50% of the vote so far.
Ward 2 Commissioner Lynn Ward Gray hold 35% of the vote and Jerry Steiner holds 14% of the tallied vote.
This is the first time voters have elected the city's mayor directly since 1961.
Behnke has served on the Battle Creek City Commission for nearly three decades, and Gray has been on the commission since 2009. Steiner has no previous political experience.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
LaNoue wins race for Albion Precinct 5
Updated 12:57 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Linda LaNoue has won the race to represent Albion's Precinct 5 on the City Council, according to unofficial election results.
With 100% of precincts in Albion reporting, LaNoue won 54% of the vote, defeating her opponent Vivian Davis.
LaNoue, an Albion native, is vice president of business development for Albion Design and Marketing and has served on Albion's Downtown Development Authority.
During her campaign, LaNoue said, if elected, she would prioritize restoring Albion's aging housing stock, diversifying employment opportunities and improving residents' access to healthy food.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Lawler wins reelection in Albion's Precinct 4
Updated 12:47 a.m. Nov. 4, 2020
Marcola Lawler has won her City Council reelection bid in Albion’s Precinct 4, according to unofficial election results.
With 100% of precincts in Albion reporting, Lawler defeated her opponent Wayne Arnold by winning 52% of the votes.
Lawler was first elected to City Council in 2016.
— Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Blood leading in Ward 1 City Commission race
Kristin Blood is leading in the race for Battle Creek Ward 1 commissioner.
With partial reporting in all four ward precincts— including Precincts 4, 10, 22 and 23—Blood has 50% of the vote tallied so far.
Matthew Egelkraut currently trails Blood with 27% of the tallied vote. Hal E. Longman has 20% of the vote so far.
Ward 1 is one of the many Battle Creek City Commission races with no incumbent running.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Jackson wins City Council race in Albion Precinct 3
Updated 12:18 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Al Smith has lost his bid for reelection in Albion Precinct 3, according to unofficial election results.
Nora Jackson won 56% of the vote, with 100% of Precinct 3 reported.
Jackson works as a student support director at Marshall Academy and is the owner of a catering service. During her campaign, she said she would work for improved communication and additional training for city government.
Smith was elected to the council last November in a special election to recall former Councilwoman Sonya Brown.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
School board races taking shape
Updated 12:17 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
A number of school board races have taken shape according to unofficial results, though there are still votes to be counted.
Harper Creek Community Schools: In the race for two open seats for six-year terms on the Harper Creek Community Schools Board of Education, Barry J. Smith and Beau Bess hold narrow leads over Summer Gooch, with 5 out of 10 of precincts reporting. Smith has 37% of votes, followed by Bess with 34% and Gooch with 26%. Hunter King and Tim Martin are in a tight race for a partial term on the board, with King leading 50% to 48%
Pennfield: With 5 out of 6 precincts reported in the race for three seats on the Board of Education, Sarah Marie Jones (13%), Dana Wells-Jenney (12%) and Tim Wood (12%) lead a 10-candidate field.
Marshall: Matthew Davis, Bill DeSmet, Richard C. Lindsey Jr. and Lisa D. Middleton are vying for three six-year terms on the Board of Education. With 11 out of 17 precincts reporting, Middleton is at 28%, followed by Davis and Linsey Jr. with 25% and DeSmet with 19%. In the race for a partial term, Amanda Lankerd leads Joanna I. Johnson, 55%-43%.
Olivet: Gregory O’Dell (38%) and Sarah Scott (34%) have won seats on the school board.
Athens: With all precincts reporting, Jason Stanton, Eric McClure and Dan Loew captured seats on the school board.
Bellevue: With all precincts reporting, Seth C. Madry and Michael DeRyder have won seats on the school board.
- Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Snyder wins mayoral race in Albion
Updated 12:03 a.m. ET, Nov. 4, 2020
Victoria Garcia Snyder has won the race for mayor in Albion by five votes, according to unofficial election results.
With 100% of precincts reporting, Snyder had 969 votes, Joedy Brown had 964 votes, and incumbent Dave Atchison had 892 votes, according to unofficial election results.
The number of votes for write-in candidates, at 14, exceeded the number of votes separating Snyder from Brown.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Down ballot, additional race tallies available at county websites
Updated at 11:45 p.m. Nov. 3, 2020
For additional results on the many local races decided by Battle Creek and Calhoun County voters, visit the county election website, where live results may or may not be updated regularly depending on local clerks. BCE staff have no involvement in this website, nor in posting of updates. Note: Hit refresh often to ensure you're seeing the latest version of results.
– BCE staff report
Leiter wins race for Pennfield Charter Township supervisor
Updated 11:23 p.m. ET, Nov. 3, 2020
Republican Kevin Leiter defeated former Pennfield Township supervisor Robert P. Behnke Jr. in the race for Pennfield Township supervisor, according to unofficial election results.
Leiter won 62% of the vote, with 100% of Pennfield Charter Township precincts reporting.
A business owner in Battle Creek, Leiter previously served on the Pennfield Township board as a trustee in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was a trustee for a total of eight years and briefly served as interim township supervisor during that time.
In July, Behnke was charged with stalking and using a computer to commit a crime after a former girlfriend said she was harassed for three years. Behnke waived a preliminary examination in the Calhoun County District Court last week, and a pretrial is set for Dec. 4.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Morgan holds his lead in 62nd House race
Updated 11:11 p.m. ET, Nov. 3, 2020
Republican Dave Morgan is maintaining his lead in the race for the 62nd House District.
With 9 out for 40 precincts reporting, Morgan has 61% of the vote tallied.
During his campaign, Morgan criticized the way Haadsma has served as state representative, saying the Democratic lawmaker was distracted by his work as a lawyer.
Haadsma refuted Morgan's criticism, saying his experience as a lawyer made him a better representative and that many lawmakers work another job while representing their district in Lansing.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Reynolds has an early lead in at-large City Commission race
Updated 10:55 p.m. ET, Nov. 3, 2020
Three seats are up for grabs in the at-large city commissioner race.
Former County Commissioner Carla Reynolds has an early lead, with 28% of the total votes so far.
First-time candidate Derrick Freeman has 25%, incumbent Sherry Sofia has 24%, and incumbent Kaytee Faris has 22%.
Votes are still being counted in all Battle Creek precincts. Only 16 out of 23 Battle Creek precincts are partially reporting results for this race and, so far, five city precincts have not yet reported any results.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Will 2020 show record voter turnout? TBD
Updated 10:30 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Election experts are expecting a historic voter turnout this year, as more than 100 million people voted early leading up to Election Day.
It's possible that more than 160 million people may turn out this year, in total, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who runs the U.S. Elections Project.
That would mean an eligible voter turnout rate of 67% — potentially the highest percentage in over 100 years.
In 2016, 60.1% of eligible voters cast votes, with 58.6% and 61.6% voter turnout in 2012 and 2008 respectively.
– USA TODAY staff reports
Hall holding lead in 63rd House District race
Updated 10:15 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Republican Matt Hall is holding his lead in the race for the 63rd House District seat.
With 9 out of 18 precincts reporting, Hall has 65% of the vote tallied so far.
Hall was elected to the position in 2018 and has found his niche as a Republican watchdog in the state legislature. He chairs the House Oversight Committee, which was created earlier this year to review Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's handling of COVID-19.
His Democratic opponent, Luke Howell, has 30% of the vote so far.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Incumbents take an early lead in some county races
Updated 9:52 p.m. ET, Nov. 3, 2020
Incumbents are leading in the races for county prosecuting attorney, sheriff and county clerk.
Incumbent Republican David Gilbert has an early lead in the race for county prosecuting attorney. He leads his Democratic opponent, Christopher B. Vreeland with 70% of the vote and 11 out of 58 precincts reporting.
Sheriff Steve Hinkley, a Republican, also leads in the race for sheriff against Democratic challenger Brad Palmer. Hinkley, the incumbent, has 71% of the vote with 11 out of 58 precincts reporting.
In the race for county clerk, Republican incumbent Kimberly Hinkley leads Democrat Andy Hemboldt with 71% of the vote and 11 out of 58 precincts reporting.
—Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Republicans take early lead in state legislature races
Updated 9:30 p.m. ET, Nov. 3, 2020
Republican candidates are taking an early lead in the races for the 62nd and 63rd House District seats.
With 4 out of 40 precincts reporting, Republican Dave Morgan is leading incumbent Jim Haadsma in the 62nd House District race with 70% of the vote.
Morgan is the current supervisor of Pennfield Township. He ran against Haadsma in 2018 and lost by a margin of 3%. In the race for the 63rd House District, Republican Matt Hall is also ahead Democrat Luke Howell, a political newcomer. With 4 out of 18 precincts reporting, Hall has 70% of the vote so far. Libertarian candidate Rafael Wolf and Green Party candidate John Anthony La Pietra are also on the ballot.
— Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Polls close in most of Michigan. Now the waiting begins.
Updated 8 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Polls closed at 8 p.m. ET across much of the state, which was also the deadline for returning an absentee ballot by drop box or having one arrive by mail.
Now the waiting begins, with counting across the nation expected to take longer this year due to high voter turnout.
Live results:See election results from Michigan, Calhoun County, and Battle Creek races
People are preparing to rally outside the Michigan capitol Wednesday night, urging leaders to make sure every vote is counted. Similar rallies are planned nationwide as President Donald Trump has repeatedly dismissed the idea of continuing to count votes after Nov. 3.
Results in Michigan become official when they are certified by boards of canvassers, a process that is allowed to take up to two weeks.
– BCE staff reports
Battle Creek's election tabulator goes down, expect delays in results
Updated 7:17 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Houser said to expect delays in reporting election results due to a technical issue.
“Our high speed tabulator went down so we had to wait two and half hours. That put us behind," Houser said. "We were ahead of the game until that did that. It happened around 2:30 p.m., and we just got the new tabulator (from Grand Rapids). We just kept doing the processing, but weren’t able to process them through the tabulator."
Houser also said a number of people registered to vote today and asked for absentee ballots, which has "kept us very busy."
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has said Michigan may not have final tallies until Friday, with a record 3.2 million absentee ballots returned as of Tuesday afternoon.
Houser said it will "probably be more like 2 or 3 (a.m.) Wednesday" before total counts from local results are posted.
- Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Lines are short in Battle Creek with one hour of voting to go
Updated 7:00 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Voters at several polling locations in Battle Creek have little-to-no wait to cast their ballot tonight.
Kristi Staib, voting at First Assembly of God, said she was prepared to wait in line for hours to vote, but was in an out in a matter of minutes.
“It was a lot less of a wait then we expected,” she said. “The longest part was just going and filling out the ballot.”
Waits at other locations this evening have been a little longer. At Second Missionary Baptist Church, the wait in line was about 15 minutes, but voters said the line was moving quickly.
– Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Four positions for judges in Calhoun County are uncontested
Updated 5:38 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Calhoun County voters will have no problem deciding on contests for local judges because all four candidates are unopposed.
Three sitting judges and one newcomer all are seeking terms on the bench without opposition.
In circuit court, incumbent Judge Sarah Lincoln is seeking her second six-year term after winning election in 2014.
In Calhoun County District Court Incumbent Judge Paul Beards and first time candidate, Michelle Richardson also are seeking six-year terms while Judge Jason Bomia is running to complete the term of retired Judge Samuel Durham, which ends Dec. 31, 2022. Bomia was appointed Aug. 14, 2019 to replace Durham.
For more about the candidates see battlecreekenquirer.com
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Battle Creek rocks the vote with an election night block party
Updated 5:13 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
With just under three hours until polls close, the Southwest Michigan Urban League, NAACP and the A. Philip Randolph Institute are encouraging people get out and vote with a “voters-only” block party.
The celebration is taking place at the Southwest Michigan Urban League in Battle Creek at 172 West Van Buren St. until 8 p.m.
“The goal is to celebrate that we took our souls to the polls,” said L.E. Johnson, chief diversity officer for the Southwest Michigan Urban League. “It’s also a reminder...if you haven’t voted, go vote...The last clarion call to people.”
The A. Philip Randolph Institute has been answering questions about polling locations and giving people rides to polling locations, said Deboraha Sallee, president of the Battle Creek chapter of the organization.
Sallee said voting was going smoothly overall and she hadn’t heard of any major problems.
”I feel like people are really getting out there,” she said. “We’ve got three more hours. Let’s fill them up.”
Follow live election coverage here as results begin to be counted at 8 p.m. ET.
– Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Calhoun County prosecutor seeking third 4-year term
Updated 4:41 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert is being challenged by a defense attorney.
Gilbert, 59, a Republican, is seeking his third four-year term. His challenger, Democrat Chris Vreeland, 56, of Marshall is seeking the office for the first time.
Both candidates agreed that drug, alcohol, mental health, veterans and domestic violence specialty courts provide defendants with programs and opportunities to avoid prosecution and cut the number of cases seen in court.
Gilbert is a former assistant prosecutor in Barry County and had a defense practice in Battle Creek before his election as prosecutor in 2012.
Vreeland, whose grandfather was an attorney and judge in West Virginia, was a social worker before deciding to attend law school. He had a private practice in Marshall and is now deputy chief public defender in Branch County.
Read more about the candidates and their positions at battlecreekenquirer.com
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Battle Creek mayoral race puts choice in voters' hands
Updated 2:15 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Battle Creek residents will decide who will serve as the city's mayor for the first time since 1961. City commissioners previously appointed a person to serve from among their ranks, but voters approved a city charter amendment earlier this year to put the mayor's race on the ballot.
The election is a three-way race between incumbent Mayor Mark Behnke, current Ward 2 Commissioner Lynn Ward Gray and Jerry Steiner, a longtime Battle Creek resident and writer.
Read about the candidates' stances on representation and community engagement, housing, economic development and the role of mayor in Battle Creek in our advance coverage at battlecreekenquirer.com.
– Elena Durnbaugh, BCE reporter
Battle Creek at-large commissioner a 5-4-3 situation
Updated 1:40 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Five people are running, four names are on the ballot and three seats are available for Battle Creek at-large city commissioner.
Incumbent Commissioners Sherry Sofia and Kaytee Faris are running to retain their seats. Also on the ballot are political newcomer Derrick Freeman and former Calhoun County Commissioner Carla Reynolds. Beverli Carpenter-Hunter is hoping to collect enough votes as a write-in candidate to win a seat on the commission.
Battle Creek at-large commissioners represent the entire city instead of one ward. Each has their own vision of how to help the city, but all agree communication is key; read more about their vision in our advance coverage.
– BCE staff reports
63rd district race for State House a referendum on Whitmer
Updated 1:40 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Democrat and political newcomer Luke Howell is fighting an uphill battle against Republican incumbent Matt Hall in Michigan's 63rd House District.
Hall has created a niche in the legislature as a watchdog and has been critical of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's response to COVID-19. Howell, who said he is frustrated with partisan politics, wants to bring a new voice to Lansing.
Read more about the race at battlecreekenquirer.com.
– Elena Durnbaugh, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Turnout could reach record high
Updated 11:40 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Turnout for the general election could surpass numbers for the last 20 years, Calhoun County election officials said shortly before noon.
"I would think in the 70s (percent)," Teri Loew, chief deputy clerk of elections said. "We have more registered voters than ever before and it could be in the 70s or a little higher."
The highest percent of turnout since 2000 was in November of 2004 when 63.26% of the county's registered voters went to the polls in the race between George W. Bush and John Kerry.
Loew said clerks across the county reported lines when the polls opened at 7 a.m.
"Driving by different polling places this morning I saw lines," she said. Those waiting were wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Loew said early morning and early evening are usually the busiest times.
She said clerks said they found campaign signs had been placed near voting locations overnight and many were outside the county building in Marshall. All were removed.
Sheriff Steve Hinkley said his deputies were called to two polling locations because voters were wearing political attire. He said one issue was resolved before the deputy arrived and the other quickly after the deputy arrived.
Battle Creek Deputy Chief Jim Grafton said his officers have not been called for any issues at precincts.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
More than 35,000 absentee ballots issued
Updated 10:30 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Calhoun County had issued 35,183 absentee voter ballots by 7:17 p.m. on Monday, according to Chief Deputy Clerk of Elections Teri Loew. And 30,741, or 87.3%, had been returned.
As of Sunday, the county has 106,478 registered voters.
Loew listed the registered voters and percentage of voter turnout in past elections.
- Nov. 2016: 100,699 registered and 59.31% turnout for Trump/Clinton
- Nov. 2012: 101,044 registered and 58.33% turnout for Romney/Obama
- Nov. 2008: 104,109 registered and 62.17% turnout for McCain/Obama
- Nov. 2004: 99,693 registered and 63.26% turnout for Bush/Kerry
- Nov. 2000: 59.5% turnout for Bush/Gore
In Michigan 2.8 million people had voted before the polls opened Tuesday, which is more than half of the 5.08 million turnout from the 2008 presidential election, which was the highest turnout in Michigan history, according to the office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
More than 30,000 people have volunteered as election workers in Michigan, according to the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
62nd district race for State House a bit of back and forth
Updated 10 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Jim Haadsma and Dave Morgan are facing off in a rematch for Michigan's 62nd House seat.
Morgan, a Republican who is currently Pennfield Township supervisor, lost the race to Haadsma, a Democrat, in 2018 by approximately 3% of the vote.
During the campaign, Haadsma ran on his experience and continued commitment to advocating for constituents. Morgan went on the offensive, criticizing the way Haadsma has done the job for the past two years.
To read more about the race, click here.
– BCE staff reports
Police available but otherwise staying invisible on Election Day
Updated 9:15 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Battle Creek police and Calhoun County Sheriff Department deputies are available for any problems at polling places but both Deputy Chief Jim Grafton and Sheriff Steve Hinkley said officers won’t be visible unless there are problems.
Battle Creek officers stopped at precincts as they opened just to gather and provide contact information and Grafton said they would be available if needed.
Hinkley said he has deputies who are available if needed “but I don’t anticipate any problems.”
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Lines form early at polling locations
Updated 8:30 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
Polls opened at 7 a.m. in Battle Creek and Calhoun County with people waiting in line.
At the Battle Creek Community Church at 552 E. Emmett St. on Battle Creek's north side a dozen people already were standing outside at 6:30 a.m. and when the door opened for the two precincts the line was around the church.
People were wearing masks but greeting each other and chatting while waiting and commenting that they would arrive at work when they were finished voting.
Other polling places in the city and in other areas of Calhoun County also were reporting people waiting in line early to vote.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Voters in Calhoun County will be casting ballots at 58 precincts.
Updated 8 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
All polling locations will be open until 8 p.m.
For those people who have not voted by absentee and want to cast ballots, the locations are calhouncountymi.gov/departments/clerk_and_register_of_deeds/precinct_locations.php.
Chief Deputy Clerk of Elections Teri Loew said the ballot is “huge” and includes partisan and non-partisan races and proposals.
And she reminded voters they can vote “straight party” to vote for all candidates from one party or or “split ticket” to vote for individual candidates from different parties. Voters can select the “straight party” and also make individual choices of candidates from different parties.
The non-partisan section includes judges, city and village officials, community college and school district officials.
Two state and one Calhoun County proposal also are on the ballot.
Anyone who is not registered but has lived at their current location for 30 days can visit the office of their local clerk before 8 p.m. to register and obtain an absentee ballot.
– Trace Christenson, Battle Creek Enquirer reporter
Polls open across much of Michigan; don't expect immediate results tonight
Updated 7 a.m. ET Nov. 3, 2020
BATTLE CREEK – Battle Creek voters will select which candidates win races on the November ballot and decide millage proposals today.
The Battle Creek Enquirer will provide live updates to this blog throughout the day to keep you informed on developments in Calhoun County's competitive local races. Bookmark this page to stay up-to-date as results begin to come in once polls close at 8 p.m. — however, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson warns: Don't expect immediate results tonight.