11 Voters wait in long line at Kalamazoo City Hall

KALAMAZOO, MI — A line of people, many of them young voters and college students, extended through the lobby and out the back door of Kalamazoo City Hall on the afternoon of March 10, ready to cast their ballots.

Chase Knapp, 21, walked out of the building before 4 p.m. after casting a ballot for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary.

“I feel like the younger voter turnout I’m seeing is really good and Bernie is a part of that,” Knapp said. He waited in line for about 45 minutes to vote, and said the line was much longer when he left the building."

People can make an impact, he said, and that is something Sanders said during his campaign. Voter participation is important regardless of who wins, he said.

“A lot of people are stepping up to have a voice now,” Knapp said.

Chase Knapp stands outside Kalamazoo City Hall after casting his ballot on March 10.

Related: See everything on Kalamazoo-area ballots for March 10 election

Liz Capula, 18, declined to say who she voted for in the presidential primary.

“It’s the first time I voted,” Capula said, and it took longer than she expected.

“I see a lot of people coming to vote and that’s important regardless who they vote for," she said.

Waiting was a little nerve-racking, she said, but participation is “our duty" as voters.

Eligible voters in Michigan now can register to vote up to and including Election Day. You must go to your city or township election office before 8 p.m. Tuesday to register, and you can vote at the same time.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center online to see your own sample ballot and find your polling place.

Democrats have 15 names on the primary ballot in Michigan, although 12 of those candidates have dropped out of the race. The remaining active candidates in the party’s primary are former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

Read more:

Kalamazoo-area election results from March 10 election

Kalamazoo clerk explains why some polling locations are locked

Kalamazoo proposal to target racism in housing draws mixed opinions

Michigan’s primary Election Day: Polls open at 7, and 9 other things voters need to know