Polling stations in Mid-Michigan ensure the safety of voters and workers

CENTRAL MICHIGAN (WNEM) – With Michigan’s primary election three weeks away, local officials are making preparations to ensure a safe election for all voters.

Two central Michigan county officials called the incident involving former President Donald Trump — along with the fact that one person died and two others were injured at his rally on Saturday — a sad day for our country.

For them, security in the polling station is the highest priority.

“It’s very discouraging, especially in my position when it comes to elections. It’s the fear of the unknown,” said Ann Manary, Midland County clerk.

She said the assassination attempt on Trump is a reminder of the danger politicians and campaign workers face every day. She said during the election, her office is in constant communication with all levels of law enforcement.

“On election day, it’s all hands on deck. They have multiple cars throughout our community, the county, the city, the entire area. They make sure they’re constantly driving around. They know where all of our polling places are, and they make sure there’s a police presence in all of those areas,” Manary said.

The same goes for Vanessa Guerra, Saginaw County Clerk.

She said officers are being trained to be familiar with election crimes that they do not see every day.

“There have been a lot of roundtable trainings with police departments across the state on how to engage with voters on Election Day,” Guerra said. “And we always share our polling locations with our local police departments. So we have very good relationships and have been able to count on them every election.”

And those who plan to vote in person this election season should leave their guns at home, according to Guerra.

“We recommend that you do not bring your weapon. And of course, if someone pulls out a weapon or threatens someone at your polling place, it would be a reason to call the police immediately,” she said.

Manary, in turn, wants to remind everyone that poll workers are part of our community who do everything in their power to ensure that we can exercise our right to vote.

“When you go out on Election Day, please be respectful. The people working at the polling places are simply volunteers. It doesn’t matter what community you live in. They are out there doing a job for you,” she said.

Both Manary and Guerra said there were never any incidents at their polling places during their time as county officials.

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