Detroit clerk outlines when to expect results, including turnout expectations

DETROIT (FOX 2) - There is still much unknown about who will win on Nov. 5, but the Detroit City Clerk and her election team already have a roadmap for how the election day will go - and when results will be reported.

Clerk Janice Winfrey expects 290,000 residents to cast votes by election day, either by voting early, mailing in their ballot, or filling it out on election day.

That's about 53% of the city's total registered voters.

"I'm proud of that number," she said Thursday.

Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and with that comes a high level of scrutiny. Similar to 2020, the city is expected to play a significant role in Michigan's election results.

Part of ensuring that voting processes don't buckle under the stress of high turnout and ensuring voters trust the results it produces is expediency, which is why the clerk has outlined the number of votes she expects to be tabulated and when the results are reported

About 35,000 people are expected to vote early and another 90,000 will have their absentee ballot pre-processed by election day. Those results will be available by 9 p.m.

Around 11 p.m., election day results from the precincts as well as absentee ballots that are collected and tabulated on that day will be reported. About 160,000 votes are expected between the two.

Winfrey previously told FOX 2 that she is hoping for around 50-55% turnout among registered voters in Detroit. Making sure voters are participating in elections is her top priority each election.

Additionally, with the help of early voting and absentee votes being tabulated ahead of election day, she set her sights on having 100% of Detroit's results reported by the end of election night.

As of Thursday afternoon, Detroit residents had returned 81,122 absentee ballots and 21,852 people had voted early.

Election security

After protesters gathered outside the absentee ballot counting board in 2020, the city's election officials reworked their security measures to ensure everyone working at the board will be safe traveling to their building.

There will be police stationed at the parking lot where workers will park as well as magnetometers for anyone walking in. There will also be an aerial view of Huntington Place to ensure safety.

The only people allowed inside Huntington Place will be poll workers, poll challengers, the media, and public observers.

Winfrey, who was the target of death threats and protesters at her home amid false claims of fraudulent voting in Detroit, now has security officials with her.

Asked about ensuring drop boxes are protected after an incident of someone lighting ballots on fire in different states, there are now security officials sitting in front of drop boxes overnight as well as devices placed incide to prevent fire.

The city clerk says there have been no reported threats so far.