Low Voter Turnout Marks Local Elections Across Montcalm County

Election day on March 5, 2024, saw remarkably low voter turnout across Montcalm County, with only 18% of registered voters participating. In Winfield Township, where a sinking fund proposal for Tri County Area Schools was on the ballot, turnout was significantly lower at just 25%. The city of Stanton, facing a ballot featuring only three unopposed positions, recorded an even more disappointing participation rate.

The Stanton election drew only 15 in-person voters, a figure that Clerk Sarah Johnson found surprising. “When it’s only commissioners that are going unopposed on a ballot, voters do not tend to feel compelled to get out and vote,” she stated. The three re-elected City Commission members—Charlies Miel (89 votes), Jacky McGill (77 votes), and Lewis Corwin (75 votes)—saw most of their support come from absentee ballots, contributing to an overall participation of less than 12% in the city.

Election day operations were minimal at Winfield Township Hall, where Clerk CaroleSue Chase-Stout began with seven election workers but reduced the staff as the day progressed. “I had the best group of election inspectors in the county,” Chase-Stout remarked. “They worked very well together, and during downtime, they brainstormed to learn more.” Ultimately, the township’s voter turnout failed to meet expectations, reflecting a broader trend across the county.

Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard described the day as “very quiet,” confirming that no irregularities were reported. The turnout mirrored typical patterns for special elections, particularly when only a singular issue appears on the ballot. Nearby, Ionia County fared slightly better, with nearly 22% of voters participating, driven by a bond proposal from Ionia Public Schools that narrowly passed.

In the city of Portland, also located in Ionia County, three unopposed City Council members were elected, with Patrick Fitzsimmons receiving 465 votes, Cena Schneider garnering 414 votes, and Barney Boyer obtaining 390 votes. Portland’s voter turnout reached 16%, slightly higher than Stanton’s figures.

Several townships in Ionia County saw varying levels of participation. Berlin Township led with nearly 30%, followed closely by Ronald Township at nearly 29%. In contrast, the city of Ionia experienced one of the lowest turnout rates, ranging between 17% and 20% across its four precincts.

Despite the low engagement in Montcalm County, Ionia County Clerk Greg Geiger noted the smooth execution of the election process, particularly highlighting the performance of new clerks. “It was a good election to learn on, due to the single ballot items and smaller turnout,” he said. Overall, while low participation characterized the day, the administration and election workers remained positive about the experience and the opportunity for improvement in future elections.