PLAINFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan election officials are preparing as early in-person voting begins across Michigan on Saturday.

In 2022, Michigan voters approved sweeping changes to the state’s election laws, including early in-person voting.

“I think it’s critical because the voters have said they wanted it. So they passed this amendment with Prop 22-2 and it’s a constitutional amendment that gives them this right,” Tina Porzondek, election administrator for Plainfield Charter Township, said.

On Friday, Porzondek was one of many officials setting up for nine consecutive days of early voting from Oct. 23 until Nov. 3.

“Lots of training, lots of prep and lots of practice but we are ready and prepared, and we’re ready to go,” Porzondek said.

Plainfield Township will hold all of its early voting at its Township Hall from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Porzondek said the process is familiar.

“Bring your photo ID and if you don’t have one, you’ll sign an affidavit instead. You’ll be issued a ballot, you’ll come to a voting booth and then you’ll go to another processing table where they’ll remove your stub, check your application, and then you’ll deposit in a tabulator just like a precinct,” Porzondek said.

East Grand Rapids is holding its early voting at the city’s community center. East Grand Rapids took one of the first swings at early in-person voting in Michigan while participating in a pilot program last November.

“Everything has been really smooth, very few hiccups, or glitches,” East Grand Rapids City Clerk Lori Parmenter said.

After offering early voting three other times, Parmenter said one lesson learned for this election is the hours people want to vote.

“We did add one more evening time, that seemed to be a busier time,” Parmenter said.

East Grand Rapids has also brought in additional election workers.

After slower turnout during the previous early voting opportunities, Parmenter expects things to pick up this time around.

“We’ve had a lot of phone calls, a lot of people asking about it. So, I do expect it to be a pretty heavy turnout this time,” Parmenter said.

She added that there are benefits to casting a ballot early.

“Don’t wait in the lines. Do this at your convenience,” Parmenter said.

Although people can vote early, results cannot be generated until polls close on election night.