Michigan voters headed to the polls Tuesday to weigh in the presidential primary, as well as more than 200 local ballot questions across the state. The primary is also the first statewide test of Michigan's same-day voter registration rules since voters passed Propsal 3 in 2018.
After hearing reports of long lines of voters at Ann Arbor's City Hall, we sent a few reporters to check it out.
What they found were enthusiastic voters wrapped around the building waiting to register to vote. Poll workers handed out pizza and waters to those waiting in line as they filled out forms and inched forward in line. Predominantly young voters continuously queued up for their last chance to participate in the state’s primary.
First-time voter Nick Van Hekken said he expected around an hour wait to register but that it was worth it.
"I’m excited to have my voice heard and take part in trying to better the county," he said.
The last-minute registers listened to podcast or talked amongst themselves, all clearly prepared to wait out the line to perform their civic duties.
Twenty-one year-old Sam Nathanson only needed to record a change of address before he could vote and waited in line for well over an hour.
"It’s not that bad, you know," he said. "Voting’s a big deal."
With an abundance of college students, Ann Arbor might have seen more of an uptick in same-day registrants than other precincts. We want to know, what are you seeing in your precinct? Weigh in on our Twitter thread below.
Voters lined up for same-day registration and voting this afternoon outside City Hall in Ann Arbor. They even enjoyed free pizza while they waited. What experiences have you had with lines and wait times across the state today? And were there treats? 😋🙃 pic.twitter.com/d8VvbwT6I5
— Michigan Radio (@MichiganRadio) March 10, 2020
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