MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - August 8th is Election Day and the fate of the proposed Police an Fire protection Millage in Meridian Township will be decided.

So far Meridian Township Clerk Brett Dreyfus said as of last week they've issued 2,867 absentee ballots and 2,120 have been returned. The final number is expected to be higher as voters still have some time to get their absentees ballots returned.

On Saturday the election workers went through some training on the poll books as well as on the new election equipment. This will be the first election the new election equipment will be put to use. Dreyfus said, "the new equipment is suppose to jam less so that translate into people moving through faster and happier people in and out of the voting precinct." Dreyfus also thanks those who will be working the election as they work with the new equipment to help get the results out quicker.

As for voter turnout, Clerk Dreyfus said they still expect it to be low. "Often times our voter turnout is under 30% in an off year election," explained Clerk Dreyfus. "This year we anticipated a much higher turnout, we're not sure what's going to be. It's going to be higher than 30%, but it's unlikely not even going to be 50%."

On August 8th polls will be open from 7am until 8pm and voters a required to show a picture ID or sign an affidavit before they are allowed to vote.