The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Local voters choose favorites
Saline Democrats vote 'uncommitted' in high numbers
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2008
Nineteen percent of Saline's registered voters showed up to the polls at three precincts for Tuesday's presidential primary to show support for Michigan Republican favorite Mitt Romney and told Democrat leaders they supported Clinton or the party's other two forerunners who were not on Michigan's ballot.
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Township voters were more enthusiastic, with more than 32 percent in Lodi and 27 percent in York braving the low temperatures to get to the polls. The countywide turnout average was 22 percent.
While there was some confusion among Saline's Precinct 3 voters, who were required to report to a new location, generally residents across the region seemed educated about the ballot choices and photo identification requirements.
"Only one refused to show her license, bucking the system, and everyone has understood how to vote on one ticket," said Gerald Auth, a Pittsfield Township volunteer at the ninth precinct, located for the first time at Saline Middle School. "People were more confused with the new precinct location, the fifth change in 12 years."
Still, there was nearly 30 percent voter turnout there.
Ann Blovitz, election inspector chairwoman for York Township's Precinct 3, said turnout was as expected, around 25 percent by mid-day.
Throughout the county and the state, Romney edged out McCain, which was just fine for Saline resident Wayne Clements, who volunteered at a Canton call bank Monday for the Romney campaign.
"We were given cell phones and a list of 100 numbers. Some people talked, some listened, others were confused about this year's primary and others just slammed down the phone. It was an interesting experience, but I'm a Romney fan," he said.
Saline-area Democrats cast more uncommitted votes than for Clinton, signaling a desire to send delegates representing Sens. Barack Obama or John Edwards to the convention.
Just over 2 percent of voters provided write-ins on their Democratic tickets, which will not be counted. Auth said nearly every Pittsfield Township voter he spoke to was told write-in candidates would not be valid. Other voters weren't so informed.
In Saline, Brad Phillips was not familiar with the "closed" election procedure, but knew how he was going to vote as he headed to the polls.
"We are so ready for a change. I have a 14-month-old daughter and I don't feel good about life for her in the current state of our government."
In other Election Day news, Sen. Randy Richardville, R 17th-District, said he had expected to drive vice presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Lieberman to Saline Tuesday morning to campaign for Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
"He was hoping to conduct a national press conference from Liberty School, but when McCain was invited into the Auto Show, the plans changed to a Detroit focus," said Richardville, who is supporting the McCain ticket.
Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-52nd District, said she recognizes constituents may have been frustrated about the primary date confusion and Democrat ballot they faced Tuesday. She urged them to vote "uncommitted" if voting on her party's ballot.
"On the bright side, the Republicans who have campaigned here are helping put Michigan on the map and bringing attention to the economic issues affecting our residents," she said.
Michigan's primary was moved up to Jan. 15 from the agreed upon date of Feb. 5, which prompted Democratic candidates, Obama and Edwards to pull their names from the ballot here.
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