Despite a record number of absentee ballots already being cast, Metro Detroiters lined up at the polls early on Election Day and patiently waited for their turn to decide America's future.
WWJ Newsradio 950 checked out polling locations across Oakland and Wayne County and discovered much the same at most of them: Long lines and happy faces.
Woodrow Hinkins cast his ballot in Farmington HIlls and said, "everyone was cordial." His wife added she was happy to see election season and all of its acrimony come to a close, but she was concerned about whether people will stay peaceful after the results are revealed.
Stores across some areas of the country have been boarded up and National Guard troops are on standby in case of unrest.
None of that was visible early on Election Day in metro Detroit, although there was a small glitch reported in Bloomfield Township at precinct 6 where 100 people waiting in line at 7 a.m. were told the scanner was broken. About an hour later everything was fixed and they were able to cast their ballots, WWJ's Jackie Paige reported.
"If you're going out to vote today you're definitely going to want to allow extra time," Paige said. "Dress warm, as well. It's chilly out there. With social distancing, voting is taking much longer than it did in 2016."
DTE Energy is doing its part to keep the process orderly by monitoring about 1,300 locations to ensure power stays steady. About 30 teams of DTE employees spread out with generators and cords and are on standby in case of an outage.
Michigan polls are open until 8 a.m.
