By SHERI McWHIRTER
TRAVERSE CITY -- It's going to be hectic come Tuesday.
Record numbers of regional voters are expected to participate on Election Day, when they'll be among five million citizens likely to cast ballots in Michigan. Local election officials said they've geared up for the coming onslaught, and it's a movement that's underway, in some cases.
A medical condition prevents Robert Schwarz, of Elk Rapids, from standing in long lines, so he's already voted by absentee ballot. It's important for citizens to vote, he said.
"I've always felt that way. It's your duty as a citizen," Schwarz said.
Schwarz voted for Arizona Sen. John McCain for president because he opposes Sen. Barack Obama's tax plan, he said.
"Truly, it's the lesser of two evils, if you ask me," Schwarz said.
Schwarz isn't alone in his effort to make his choices before the rush of Election Day. Many voters requested absentee ballots this year, officials said.
"People are excited. People want to make sure they vote," said Kay Schumacher, Garfield Township clerk.
Schumacher distributed more than 3,000 absentee ballots and 2,300 have been returned. That's nearly a quarter of the Grand Traverse County community's 12,370 registered voters, she said.
The expected big turnout on Tuesday prompted Schumacher to add seven more poll workers, though she still expects lines during peak voting times.
Grand Traverse County Clerk Linda Coburn anticipates at least 80 percent turnout from the county's 66,288 registered voters, a number swelled by the 1,454 people who registered in the three months before the deadline, she said.
"I feel like people really want to vote this year," Coburn said.
Local election officials in Whitewater and Acme townships arranged for outdoor tents for those who can't fit inside smaller polling places while they wait, Coburn said.
Once inside the voting booth, voters can choose straight party tickets at the top of their ballot or split their votes, but they must choose individual candidates for nonpartisan races and make decisions on various millage or bond issues. Even with a straight party vote, citizens can choose candidates from other parties or independents and it will be counted that way, Coburn said.
Voter Keir Helfrich of Traverse City intends to make her choices after she finishes work on Tuesday, and knows she won't be alone. She will not be discouraged if she finds a long line, she said.
"Honestly, I'm excited for a change, but I'm not really sure about either candidate for president," Helfrich said.
