MARQUETTE — Elections in nonpresidential years typically see considerably lower voter turnout, but Marquette County voters and others across the U.P. bucked that trend in the election earlier this month. The number of voters doubled in Delta County.

According to PEW Research, from 1910 until 2012, midterm election turnout is typically down from presidential election turnout by a margin of 10-17%. While the past few midterm election cycles have seen voter turnout in Marquette County increase, the 2022 election featured a noticeable jump over the 2018 election. In 2018, 26,562 voters cast ballots, with that number increasing to just shy of 32,000 in 2022. The 2014 midterm elections had even less than 2018, coming in at a total of 22,591.

While the 2022 total is still down from presidential elections, it’s clear that Marquette County is following the trends of increased midterm turnout nationwide.

Marquette County isn’t the only Upper Peninsula county that saw an increase in voter turnout this year. Houghton County voters increased in 2022 by nearly 4,000 votes over 2018, coming in less than 2,000 votes below the 2022 presidential election.

Alger, Baraga and Delta counties all saw increased turnouts this year as well, with Delta County more than doubling the total ballots cast from the 2018 midterms to this year.

An increased emphasis on absentee voting has played a large part in increasing voter turnout throughout the country, particularly in 2020 when concessions were made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Michigan voters passed Proposition 2, which further increased the ability for Michigan voters to cast their ballots, which may see voter turnout continue to increase in future elections.