E.L sees increase in student voters

Tuesday’s election turnout of 8.74 percent might seem low at first glance, but compared to East Lansing’s last odd-year election, it was an increase.

In 2007, overall turnout was less than 2 percent.

MSU precincts in 2007 had no voters, and this year there were 36, according to figures released by the East Lansing City Clerk’s Office.

“I expected the (turnout) to be low because this election dealt strictly with candidates — there were no proposals on the ballot,” East Lansing City Clerk Nicole Evans said.

In the four MSU precincts, 0.47 percent of registered voters cast a ballot.

The individual count for each precinct was:

Precinct 1 (Butterfield Hall): 11 people, or 0.52 percent of registered voters

Precinct 13 (Shaw Hall): six people, or 0.42 percent of registered voters

Precinct 14 (West Akers): seven people, or 0.53 percent of registered voters

Precinct 15 (East Wilson): 12 people, or 0.53 percent of registered voters

Evans said voter history breakdowns would not be tabulated until later in the week.