**UPDATE: 9PM -- Jocelyn Benson is the Democratic nominee for Michigan governor. Stay with WWJ for the latest results. **
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(WWJ) Eyes across the nation have been on Michigan on primary election day.
The polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, as voters cast their ballots for Democrats or Republicans in the races for Governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and legislative seats — paring down to the finalists who will face off in November.
>> LIVE ELECTION RESULTS FROM THE AP
While we don't know yet just how many people voted, early voting numbers were well above average.
Votebeat's Hayley Harding said higher-than normal turnout was expected for this primary, which has drawn wide interest.
"I've met people from out-of-state who are coming to canvass for candidate that they support, even though, you know, they can't vote for them themselves," Hardiing said. "They still just believe in the mission so much, right? Which I think really says a lot about how important Michigan politics are, even on a national level right now."
Federal poll monitors were on-site at precincts in Detroit, Hamtramck, Lansing, and East Lansing — all cities were the DOJ said there have had "a history of election-related concerns." No issues were reported with those watchers. (More on this).
In some local races of note: Oakland County voters considered a proposal to help all school districts with operations.
Detroit voters will determine a millage proposal that will help pay for classroom programs and supplies as well as teacher salaries.
All across the suburbs, there were many local proposals focused on police and fire operations, libraries and roads. In Chesterfield Township, a millage to pay for park upgrades has seen some pushback.
If you noticed that lines at your precent were short, keep in mind that more than a million Michiganders voted early.
The Michigan Secretary of State's Office says 1.2 million voters cast absentee ballots and took advantage of early, in-person voting. The 138,000 people who voted early in-person over the past week-and-a-half was nearly double the number from four years ago.
The highest day for early voting was last Sunday.
Get Michigan election results online:
- MACOMB COUNTY ELECTION PAGE
- OAKLAND COUNTY ELECTION PAGE
- WAYNE COUNTY ELECTION PAGE
- CITY OF DETROIT ELECTION PAGE
- STATE OF MICHIGAN ELECTION PAGE
