At 37, Kristi Bonnici brought along her young son, clad in Cub Scout uniform and cap, and cast her first-ever ballot in Tuesday’s General Election.
Bonnici, an Independence Township resident, was a little embarrassed admitting she’d never voted before, but said she felt a responsibility to get to the polls, nevertheless.
‘I’m not very political, and I’ve always been one of those people who said ‘well, my one vote isn’t going to count for anything,?? she said.
‘But with the economy the way it is, now more than ever we need to make sure everyone is taking their responsibility seriously and participating in the process.?
Plus, Bonnici added, her son voted in a Mock Election at school Monday, and she wanted to set a good example.
Many others, who turned out in droves during early polling hours, also cited concerns about the economy.
Kurt Houghteling of Independence Township said he was particularly disturbed with federal-level politics.
‘I’m sick of everything that’s happening over the last eight years,? he said. ‘I’m sick of the war, sick of the economy’it’s time for a change.?
Shannon J. Stormer, like many others, cited economic concerns, as well, but was also interested in Proposal 2.
‘Stem cell research, that’s a good thing,? he said. ‘We need it, and I wanted to have my two cents.?
In Springfield Township, Oakland University student Haley Knapp spent several minutes looking over a sample ballot posted in the hallway at Precinct 6.
‘I’m excited to vote for the first time,? she said. ‘I’m excited that I get to choose, and have a say about what I feel and what I want for this country. But I’m also nervous.?
Knapp was worried, she said, about ‘messing up? the ballot.
Across Independence and Springfield townships, as well as the City of the Village of Clarkston, Election Day was much the same in regard to turnout.
Lots of voters showed up early’a hundred or more lined up before 7 a.m. at some precincts’and once poll workers cleared the backlog, the stream of voters remains mostly steady through the day.
Still, the numbers weren’t as high as anticipated.
‘I was expecting an hour wait, or 45 minutes, at least,? said Tom Brecht, who voted midmorning in Independence Township. ‘But it was great, I was done in 15 minutes.?
In Springfield Township, 6234 voters’about 60 percent’showed up at the polls, but another 1,771 cast absentee ballots.
In Clarkston, Jan Gillespie was administering her first election as the city’s new clerk.
‘It’s been a very smooth day,? she said around 6 p.m. ‘We had about 25 people lined up when we opened this morning, and we stayed steady most of the day.?
With the large turnout expected, the city put up seven polling stations instead of the usual four.
Of Clarkston’s 821 registered voters, 568’about 69 percent’showed up to cast a ballot.
Gilespie also had five election inspectors on hand to help process voters.
‘I’m grateful for all the good help,? she said. ‘They’ve all been awesome, especially (administrative assistant) Marcy Rotondo. She’s the expert.?

**Check back soon for updates and additional photos.