13,096 Detroiters vote in first two hours of Tuesday

Detroit City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey announced that 13,096 residents cast ballots in the first two hours of Tuesday's election. The figure came during a press briefing held at the Northwest Activities Center at 9 a.m. Winfrey noted that this number represents 10,000 more voters than were counted by the same time in the August primary.

Winfrey stated that all 156 polling locations in the city opened successfully without reported issues. The Northwest Activities Center is a new site for Detroiters. Five other locations changed from their August positions. Winfrey said every affected voter received a mailed card indicating their new assignment.

For voters who arrive at their previous site, poll workers will provide a special green card. This card allows the voter to skip the line at their correct location. Winfrey emphasized that the goal is to keep the process orderly and free of barriers.

The City Clerk's office expects between 100,000 and 130,000 people to vote in person on Tuesday. She urged voters with absentee ballots to use one of the city's 38 drop boxes or deliver them to the Detroit Department of Elections or City Clerk's office. Winfrey said the focus is on counting every eligible ballot accurately.

In a prior update at 7:30 a.m., Winfrey reported that 25,515 Detroiters voted during the early voting period. Officials have already tabulated approximately 68,000 absentee ballots. They anticipate counting up to 80,000 mail-in ballots in total.