Henderson: early voting brisk so far

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

It appears a lot of people are voting ahead of this year’s November 7 general election.

Pam Henderson, Director of the Van Wert County Board of Elections, said 925 registered voters have cast early in-person ballots as of Monday. She also said 238 ballots have been mailed out and 103 of those have been returned.

“There has been a steady flow of voters coming in, averaging 100 per day, and also requesting ballots by mail,” Henderson said. “State issues are a big draw for this election as well as candidate races for this November election.”

She also noted August election early voting was 2,063, with 4,955 ballots cast on Election Day, and 329 via mail.

“We anticipate a larger turnout than the August election which was 37 percent,” Henderson said. “November, 2019 there was only 28 percent voter turnout.”

Along with State Issues 1 and 2, there are a handful of local issues, plus the mayor’s race in Van Wert, as well as council, school board and township trustee races throughout the county.

Henderson reminded voters that next week is the final week for early in-person voting, and extended hours will be offered as mandated by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Next weeks hours will be:

• Monday, October 30, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 31, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 2, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, November 3, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, November 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, November 5, 1-5 p.m.

There will be no early in-person voting on Monday, November 6. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 7.

The Van Wert County Board of Elections Office is located at 1362 E. Ervin Road, Van Wert.