Michigan turnout for midterm election is highest in 56 years

(WJBK) - Voter turnout for Michigan's midterm election was the highest in 56 years.

More than 4 million people cast ballots, with 4 percent of precincts still untallied as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results. That is at least 52 percent of the voting-age population -- the most since 1962.

The high turnout led to a strong night for Democrats, who were on track to win all three statewide offices for the first time in 32 years and flipped two Republican-held congressional seats. Several women helped Democrats take back those key offices. 

Gretchen Whitmer's comfortable win over Republican Bill Schuette in Tuesday's gubernatorial race began a strong night for a female-centric Democratic ticket that also included U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who defeated challenger John James.

Jocelyn Benson became the first Democrat to win the secretary of state's office in 28 years. Dana Nessel was narrowly ahead in her bid to become the first Democrat elected Michigan attorney general in 20 years. U.S. House candidate Haley Stevens won an open GOP-held seat and ex-CIA analyst Elissa Slotkin defeated a Republican incumbent. 

And female candidates helped Democrats cut into, but not break, GOP majorities in the Statehouse as voters backed ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana for recreational use, take aim at partisan gerrymandering and expand voting options.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report