With election day voting well underway, voters in Mid-Michigan say there are a number of issues at stake in this election.
Across Michigan, election officials describe a steady stream of people coming out to vote. In Mount Pleasant, at least one precinct had a line to vote out of the door.
Deborah Shilakes sat outside in the car waiting for her husband to finish voting. She said she voted republican all the way.
“My husband has bad health problems and we need somebody who is going to take care of us and Trump is going to do it,” she said.
City officials say as of this morning some 91% of absentee ballots had been returned of the over 4,700 that were mailed out.
In Midland, residents described the issues that most motivated them.
Laura Brown is a Midland area resident and Trump supporter.
“First of all, I don’t believe in abortion,” she said. “So that right there is a big-ticket for me. I believe everyone has a right to life.”
Other voters, like Megan Lemahieu, said they are voting over a variety of issues.
“I think one of the biggest ones is race, obviously,” she said. “And then women’s rights, reproductive rights. Not wanting to have those taken away from us.”
Lemahieu said she was originally a Bernie Sanders supporter and hopes that Biden will move to a more progressive position if he wins.
State officials warned voters about intimidation and harassment at the polls in the lead up to the election.
But on Tuesday, polls were peaceful. State officials said things went smoothly and there was not widespread intimidation.
David Aukerman monitored polls in Midland. He said he’s thankful the fears of intimidation never materialized.
“Maybe we were a little bit fearful but better to be more prepared than less,” he said. “I think we’re having a good experience today.”
Down the street from Aukerman, a small group of young protestors gathered to raise awareness for LGBTQ issues during the election.
18-year old April Davila organized the protest. She said she gathered her friends, many of them too young to vote, to give them an opportunity to have their voice heard - even though it won’t be at the polls.
“I wanted to organize a little event for vulnerable LGBTQ teens so they could have a space to express their voice and opinions,” she said.
Davila said the group is specifically protesting the induction of Amy Coney Barrett into the supreme court.
But regardless of the election outcome, she said she’s worried about increased violence against her and her friends after election day.