Politics & Government

Estimated 16,000 Macomb Voters to Take Part in Feb. 28 Primary

The population of Macomb Township hovers around 80,000, but estimates suggest only around 16,000 residents will participate in the state primary.

Until the final ballot is counted, there is no way of knowing how many Macomb Township residents will vote in the Feb. 28 presidential primary. But election coordinators, city clerks and news media can make a fairly educated guess.

In Macomb Township, primary election returns are estimated to be around 16,000. This number includes both absentee ballots and voter turnout at the polls.

As of Feb. 21, Macomb Township Elections Supervisor Edward A. Carey Jr. said 4,128 absentee ballots had been returned, out of a total 5,870 issued. However, residents have until 2 p.m. Feb. 25 to request absentee ballots by mail and eligible absentee voters can also cast ballots in person at the clerk's office on Feb. 27.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the 2008 presidential primary, held Jan. 15, 2008, 10,366 Macomb Township residents visited the polls and 2,539 turned in absentee ballots.

For the Feb. 28, 2012 primary, Macomb County estimates a 20 percent voter turnout rate. Given Macomb Township's almost 80,000 person population, this suggests an estimated 16,000 residents will take part in the primary. However, such an estimate cannot account for weather conditions on primary day or the personal schedules and interest of potential voters.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Feb. 28, polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. in Macomb Township. Macomb Patch has compiled this map of local precincts for your use.

Flashback 2008

During the 2008 primary, Republican Mitt Romney won 3,260 votes to John McCain's 1,516 in Macomb Township. Ron Paul, who appears on the ballot again this year, earned 448 votes. Romney ultimately took 45.4 percent of the Republican vote in Macomb County, whereas McCain, the eventual Republican nominee, won only 24.7 percent.

Only 100 "uncommitted" Republican votes were cast in Macomb Township.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton won 2,360 votes in Macomb Township and 64 percent of her party's vote in Macomb County. Current President Barack Obama did not appear on the ballot. However, much of the 31.4 percent of "uncommitted" votes cast during this primary are often credited to him.


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