Berrien and Cass County early voters set the tone for election day

NILES. Mich.-- Southwest Michigan voters have taken advantage of the early in-person voting for the upcoming general election where Berrien and Cass counties have set a dramatic increase in participation compared to past elections.

This is the first election that Michigan residents could vote early in-person giving voters nine days before election day to cast their vote.

Local officials are noticing a shift in voting trends with younger voters that have been eager this election to participate.

Berrien county has seen an increase in voters under 30 years old and they believe it was influenced by the flexibility of early in-person voting.

Over 3,100 people participated in early voting in Cass County and over 6,800 in Berrien County.

As for mail-in ballots, Berrien County received over 25,000 and Cass County with 6,700.

Colby Whittman, a Berrien County voter, appreciates that absentee ballot drop-boxes have been equipped with camera surveillance for extra security and the protection of election ballots.

“My ballot is protected. It makes me feel like this community is going the extra step to protect my vote, so it makes me feel good.” said Whittman.

Berrien and Cass counties have reported just over 10,000 people across both counties that have voted in-person so far before the polls open, setting the tone for a massive turnout on election day.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. in the state of Michigan however, it is still not too late to register to vote, you can register up until 8pm. today at your local clerk’s office.

If you are located in Berrien County here is a list of voting poll locations where you can go to cast your vote on election day.

Cass county residents can use the link to access polling locations in their area.

We reached out to both county clerks for their perspective headed into election day today and Cass County declined to speak, and we were unable to reach the Berrien County clerk.