JANURARY 16, 2008

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that approximately 1.48 million voters - or 20.7 percent - cast ballots in Michigan's presidential primary election Tuesday, based on unofficial returns.

That ranks Tuesday's turnout as the third highest in the history of Michigan's presidential primaries. The record turnout was in 1972 with more than 1.9 million voters while 1976 saw the second-highest number of voters at more than 1.7 million.

"I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate," said Land, Michigan's chief elections officer. "I often say ‘your vote is your voice' and voters have taken the time to make their voices heard.

"I also applaud all of the clerks and election inspectors who worked so tirelessly to make this election possible. The compressed time frame meant many clerks worked overtime to make sure voters had the opportunity to cast their ballots in the presidential nomination process."

Michigan has more than 7 million registered voters.

In 1992, the last closed presidential primary, 1.06 million registered voters - or 15.2 percent - cast ballots. In the 2000 presidential primary, 1.39 million registered voters - or 20.7 percent - cast ballots. The 2004 presidential primary was canceled.

For information on voter turnout by county, visit the Secretary of State Web site at www.michigan.gov/sos.

Land reminded residents to check the Michigan Voter Information Center as the August primary and November general elections approach. The Web site is www.michigan.gov/vote. Voters can find their polling place and clerk's office, as well as information on registering to vote, absentee voting, and voting equipment.

Related Link:

> Unofficial voter turnout totals by county