Voter Turnout in Oakland County Sees Minor Decline in 2024 Election

Voter Turnout in Oakland County: A Mixed Bag in the 2024 Election

With the dust settling after the November 2024 General Election, it’s time to take a closer look at how residents of Oakland County, MI, made their voices heard. This year, a grand total of 777,257 registered voters filled out their ballots, representing a turnout of 72.9 percent. While this might sound impressive, it’s just a slight dip from the 777,455 ballots cast in 2020, which brought a higher turnout of 74.9 percent.

Communities on the Rise

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of voter turnout across the county’s 51 municipalities. If you’re from Novi Township, you have a lot to be proud of! Despite being one of the tiniest communities with just 136 registered voters, Novi Township boasted an astonishing 94.1 percent turnout. It’s just incredible to see such engagement from a small number of voters!

Then there’s the ever-popular Huntington Woods, traditionally a leader in turnout, with a solid 85.5 percent turnout rate this year. These communities reflect a consistent trend in civic engagement that’s been observed for years. However, while many communities celebrated higher turnout, the same can’t be said for everyone.

The Struggle at the Bottom

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the City of Pontiac and Royal Oak Township experienced some struggles, posting the lowest turnouts of 44.5 percent and 49.1 percent, respectively. It raises the question—why are these communities lagging behind? Could it be a lack of interest, resources, or something else entirely? Whatever the reasoning, it’s clear there’s room for improvement in these areas.

Tracking the Trends: Who Gained and Who Lost?

As we delve deeper into the numbers, only nine communities showed an increase in turnout compared to the previous election. Novi Township led the pack with a remarkable 5.0 percentage points up from the last election. Besides them, only two other cities saw a bump in their numbers: Clarkston and Pleasant Ridge. Meanwhile, 41 communities experienced a drop, with the sharpest declines hitting Lake Angelus at a hefty -8.4 percentage points, followed by Royal Oak Township at -4.9, Troy at -4.7, Bloomfield Hills at -4.4, and Orchard Lake at -4.2.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

The overall turnout decrease might have us all pondering the bigger picture of civic engagement in our communities. Is there more that can be done to encourage folks to head to the polls? Maybe it’s time for local leaders to get creative and find ways to reach out to voters in Pontiac and Royal Oak Township. Historical data shows that they have struggled in turnout regularly, and it would be great to see initiatives that shine a light on the importance of voting.

The 2024 election certainly showcased the highs and lows of voter turnout across Oakland County, and it reflects differing patterns of participation in our neighborhoods. Beyond the necessary statistics, it’s the spirit of community that connects us all. Everyone’s voice matters, and together, we can work toward a future where every resident feels empowered and excited to be part of the democratic process.

As we go forward, let’s celebrate the victories but also recognize where we need to improve, ensuring that come the next election, even more voices can be heard. Who knows what the future may hold if we all decide to step up and get involved?