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Record number of Mich. residents registered to vote

The Associated Press has reported that nearly 7.5 million Michigan residents have registered to vote, which represents the highest number ever for a presidential election.

This information came from the Michigan secretary of state.

MLive also reported more than 120,500 people have been added to voter registration rolls since July.

Census data from 2015 estimates the state has about 7.7 million residents age 18 or older.

The latest numbers indicate an increase of more than 26,500 voters than in 2012 and nearly 10,500 more than in 2008.

Where were the biggest registration surges? One was in Marquette County, which has a sizable college-age population. The other large increases were in Houghton, Washtenaw, Ingham, Isabella and Kalamazoo counties, which also have college-age populations.

According to the Marquette County Clerk’s Office, the county had 51,127 registered voters this year. In 2012, there were 49,951 voters.

It could be assumed college students are following the election closely, considering whoever is elected president will oversee the country after they graduate.

It also is a polarizing campaign between the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump. That might be bringing out voters who want a say over who will run the United States for the next four years.

Whatever the reason, it’s encouraging to see the upswing in registered voters in Michigan, particularly the so-called disengaged millennials. It indicates an interest in government and democracy, which typically benefits society as a whole.

We hope this trend continues into future elections, presidential or otherwise.

Mining Journal (Marquette)

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