Officials are urging voters to cast their ballots as early voting is set to begin Saturday

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In-person early voting begins Saturday in Michigan, after early voting began last weekend in Detroit alone.

It is the first time this option has been available for a general election in Michigan.

Kalamazoo County Clerk Meredith Place told News Channel 3 it's a fairly new process for her team, but she expects everything to go smoothly since there was early voting in the primary election earlier this year .

“I expect more voters will take advantage of early voting than in February and August,” Place said.

Place expects there will be a lot of work to do as early voting begins and says her team will be ready when voters show up at the polls.

“We have trained election inspectors who are excited to work with first-time voters and long-term voters to ensure they pass through their precinct or early voting location in an easy and seamless manner,” Place said.

If you're voting in person, there are a few steps you should take:

1. Find out online where you can vote
2. Make sure your registration is up to date
3. Bring ID with you

According to John Clark, a political science professor at Western Michigan University, it's important to have a plan whether you vote early or on Election Day.

“For people interested in this election, absentee voting, absentee voting and early voting are some great options rather than waiting for Election Day when something could happen that would prevent them from casting their vote,” Clark said.

Clark said all results may not be in on election night, which is why Place is urging voters to be patient.

“These results will take time, but rest assured they will be accurate and that is what local officials across Kalamazoo County are focused on,” Place said.

Another focus for Place is security after poll workers across the country received threats in 2020 over unfounded claims of voter fraud.

“Our election inspectors have been trained to know that if there is any threat or intimidation, they should call 911 and that it will not be tolerated,” Place said.

Depending on the location, election observers and qualified election challengers are assigned to each location.

After polls close on election night, the public, including challengers and poll observers, will be allowed to view the voting process in the precinct.

Clark reiterated that voters should have confidence in the voting process.

“There is virtually no voter fraud in the United States in 2020, 2022 and 2024,” Clark said. “Honestly, it’s a giant nothing burger.”

Early voting runs through Sunday, November 3rd and Election Day is November 5th.