TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– With just over two weeks until Election Day, Vigo County Chief Deputy Clerk LeAnna Moore said early voting turnout is “a little lower” than usual.
Through Monday, 3,874 ballots had been cast, with about 75% happening in person, according to the Vigo County Clerk’s office. Moore cautioned that they usually see a surge in voting starting the Friday before Election Day.
Rick Stevens, who cast his ballot on Monday, said he thinks early voting is :one of the best things” that’s happened for voters as it offers additional flexibility.
“I try to almost every time now. I just find it a lot easier that you’re not committed on that one day, so you kind of work around your schedule instead of their schedule. It seems to work out a lot better for me and the commitments that I have now,” he said.
Other clerk’s offices reported having standard to slightly higher than normal traffic through two weeks of early voting. The Sullivan County Clerk reported 386 mail in ballots so far, and 354 in person voters.
Knox County Clerk David Shelton said they had higher numbers than anticipated, with around 1,500 ballots cast in total. In Illinois, the Clark County Clerk’s office said they have had just over 500 ballots cast so far, a number that represented a slight increase, with traffic picking up as we get closer to Nov. 8th.
Rick Speidel said beating the crowds was the biggest thing that got him to cast his ballot early.
“I wanted to make sure I voted, and didn’t really want to wait in crowds and lines, so I was driving by and I said, ‘Hey, why don’t I just swing in and get the vote done,’” he said.
Speidel, who said it only took a few minutes, hopes others get out to cats their ballot as well.
“I think a lot of people fought, or worked really hard, for the right to vote, and the least we can do is be educated about the candidates, and then to vote,” he said.
