Oxford and Addison voters have lots to decide on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot, from who will represent them on their township boards to millage proposals for local schools and fire services.

The question is, how many of them will actually show up at the polls?

“I think (voter turnout) will be a little bit higher than in the past,” said Oxford Township Clerk Curtis Wright.

“But usually there isn’t as much turnout in a primary election as there is in a general election.”

Oxford’s voter-turnout in the last two August primaries during presidential election years hovered around 20 percent. It was 21.79 percent in 2008 and 20.25 percent in 2012.

“I would love to see (a) 50 percent turnout, but based on the requests for absent voter ballots, I’m thinking it might be around 30 (percent),” said Addison Township Clerk Pauline Bennett.

Addison’s voter-turnout in the last two August primaries during presidential election years varied. In 2008, it was 30.91 percent, but in 2012, it dipped to 23.28 percent.

According to Bennett, her office issued 522 absentee ballots for this election and so far, less than half – 243 to be exact – have been returned.

In Oxford, Wright reported a rise in the number of requests for absentee ballots. That’s because notices were mailed to township residents who are either age 60 and older or about to turn 60.

“We’ve had good response back from that,” Wright said.

As a result, the township distributed approximately 1,800 absentee ballots. Usually, about 1,500 are mailed, according to Wright.

“I believe it’s the most we’ve sent out,” he said. “We’ve definitely increased the awareness of people who want to vote absentee.”

“So far, we’ve received a little over 800 (absentee ballots) back,” Wright noted.

Polls everywhere will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 2.

Bennett is reminding people this is a primary, so they can only vote for candidates from a single party. They can’t split their ticket like in a general election.

“You have to vote either Republican or Democratic only,” she said. “You can’t cross over.”

Ballots containing votes for candidates from both parties will be considered invalid as far as the partisan section is concerned.

However, votes in nonpartisan areas, such as millage proposals, will still count, even on split tickets.

Bennett is also reminding voters this ballot has two sides, so don’t just mark the questions on the front and forget about the back.

Wright wished to remind folks state law requires them to bring some form of photo identification to show at the polls. This requirement can be satisfied with a Michigan driver’s license or state-issued identification card. It does not have to be valid or current.

Voters who don’t possess either Michigan-issued card can present any of the following forms of photo ID as long as their current – driver’s license or personal ID card from another state, federal or state government-issued photo ID, U.S. passport, military ID with photo, student ID with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher education and tribal ID card with photo.

Voters lacking an acceptable picture ID or who forget to bring one to the polls can still vote, but they must sign an affidavit.