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In Traverse City, it's older voters who show up to the polls

Aaron Selbig

Traverse City just elected a new mayor and three new commissioners. Voter turnout in this year’s election was about 28 percent.

If this year is anything like years past, older voters are likely having the most influence in Traverse City. In the 2013 city election, nearly 70 percent of voters were 50 years old or older – even though that age group made up only 45 percent of the electorate.

It’s the same story for all recent elections. Older voters are turning out to the polls at a much higher rate than younger voters.

City Commissioner Gary Howe says the voting trend leads to government policy that's skewed toward older people.