Secretary of State reports 17.5 percent of voting-age population cast ballot

DETROIT (AP) - The state says that 17.5 percent of Michigan's voting-age population cast a ballot in the August primary. The secretary of state's office says roughly 1.3 million people voted Tuesday. It's lower than 22 percent turnout in 2010 when there were contested gubernatorial primaries in both parties, but slightly up from 16.9 percent turnout in 2006 - another year of no contested governor's race in the primary. Some feared record-low turnout because of the lack of a marquee statewide race. But at least 300,000 more residents voted this year than in 1990, when primary turnout was just 15 percent. Voters on Tuesday decided a number of closely watched U.S. House and legislative primaries and approved a statewide business tax-related measure. Turnout typically tops at least 40 percent in November gubernatorial races. Published: Fri, Aug 08, 2014