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Wayne County Clerk Seeks To Increase Voter Turnout

DETROIT (AP) - Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett says she wants more registered voters - especially in Detroit - to cast ballots in the November general election.

She is challenging county voters to best other counties in Michigan in the number of people who actually come out to the polls.

Garrett's office says it will use mailings, emails, social media and community meetings to educate residents on the importance of voting. Staffers also are asking people to bring 20 other people with them to vote.

She says when people see the voter turnout percentages "they'll quickly realize that not only are the statistics dismal, they are also quite alarming."

Garrett says only 62 percent of registered county residents voted in the 2008 presidential election.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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