Grand Rapids residents turned out for the presidential election in nearly historic numbers.
On Tuesday, Grand Rapids City Clerk Darlene O’Neal gave her report to the City Commission--She said in total, 63% of Grand Rapids participated in the presidential election—that’s up two percentage points over the 2012 decision. While the 2008 election boasts the highest percentage at 66%, O’Neal told WGVU those numbers are slightly misleading.
“In 2008, there were a few more voters in total, but—when it came to the absentee ballots in 2016 we exceeded both 2012 and 2008,” O'Neal said.
The City Clerk credited the success of the election in Grand Rapids to a number of factors, including better training for election workers, adequately staffed polling locations, and equipping workers with digital tools.
“Not only with the use of the laptop, but also the use of tablets, so again, with having election workers who are comfortable using technology, it lent itself to more efficiencies and to better serve the voter.”
O’Neal thanked the voters for the large turnout as well.
“I was very proud of this community for coming out and voting and sharing their voice.”
According to records from the City Clerk’s website, the turnout of Grand Rapids voters largely favored the Clinton ticket. Donald Trump received 25,151 votes in Grand Rapids. Hillary Clinton more than doubled that at 52,452.
Clarification: This story originally reported that “According to records from the City Clerk’s website, the turnout of Grand Rapids voters largely favored the Clinton ticket in Kent County. Donald Trump received 25,151 votes. Hillary Clinton more than doubled that at 52,452. While the numbers reflect voters in Grand Rapids only, Kent County voted in favor of Donald Trump with 148,160 votes over Hillary Clinton who received 138,658 votes.
