If there’s one thing we should all be able to get together on as Americans, it’s that offering more opportunities for people to vote is a good thing. Participatory government works best when people are able to participate.

That’s why the new voting options implemented as a result of a 2022 referendum in Michigan are good news. 

One of those options is early voting, which for most of Lenawee County will be offered at the Lenawee County Human Services Building at 1040 S. Winter St. in Adrian. Under the new voter-enacted law, early voting for the August primary is available from Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, Aug. 4.

Worth noting is the fact that the early voting period covers two weekends. Our tradition of holding elections on Tuesdays is a relic from horse-and-buggy days that, in the modern world, creates an obstacle for many working people. The nine-day early voting period, covering as it does the two Saturdays and Sundays before the election as well as the week that falls between them, dramatically expands the number of opportunities that working Americans have to make it to the polls. 

There can, of course, be something nice about the ritual of going to your neighborhood polling place on Election Day. In some ways it is a communal experience, a tangible reminder of the exercise of democracy that we all practice together. 

But there are many reasons to take advantage of early voting too. One of these is that you don’t have to worry about something coming up on Election Day that keeps you from making it to the polls. If you’ve already cast your vote during the early voting period, you can be sure that your voice will count even if something comes up at the last minute.

In-person early voting for most Lenawee County communities is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, Aug. 4 at 1040 S. Winter St. (Fairfield Township has opted to conduct its own early voting.) With the exception of the location, what you do and how your ballot is processed is identical to what happens when you vote on Election Day.

We encourage our readers to take advantage of the opportunity. Make sure your voice is heard.