Early 7,000 have already voted

With less than a week before the midterm election Tuesday, the Michigan Department of State estimates more than 1.39 million Michiganders have already cast their ballots.

This includes nearly 7,000 ballots already cast in Leelanau County — 6,035 absentee ballots and 1,036 early voting before noon yesterday at a steady pace.

“We had people lined up to vote when we opened the door,” county Clerk Michelle Crocker said. “And it’s been pretty busy since.”