Jackson County sets record for early voting numbers

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More Jackson County voters than ever cast ballots ahead of today’s midterm general election.

Those 4,577 voters made history this election cycle by casting ballots by mail, through the county’s traveling board and the military or by visiting early voting locations in Brownstown and Seymour.

That represents a significant increase from when 1,841 voters who cast a ballot early during the midterm election in the 2014.

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“I’m excited about it,” county Clerk Amanda Lowery said. “That’s not typically a pattern we see for a midterm election.”

The clerk’s office is responsible for running operations.

A steady line of voters could be found at the two polling sites Monday. At times, the line extended into the hallway at Jackson Superior Court I in Seymour. Between Brownstown and Seymour, 304 voters cast ballots before noon when absentee polling sites closed for the last time election.

“There was a line from when we started at 8 a.m. and went until noon when it ended,” Lowery said. “I expected us to be busy, especially how we had been trending the last few days.”

Those voters were part of the 3,645 who voted at absentee polling sites this cycle, which began in Brownstown on Oct. 11 and Seymour on Oct. 22.

Voters even walked in after the noon deadline but were turned away and told to vote at their precincts on Election Day.

On Saturday and Monday, 646 voters cast ballots early. Seymour’s location saw 247 voters on Saturday alone.

The number represents a trend where voters are using the convenience of voting before Election Day.

Charlotte Lovegrove was one of the last to vote in a late surge of voters at Jackson Superior Court I.

The Seymour resident said she scheduled a physical therapy appointment on Election Day and didn’t want to risk not being able to vote.

“It was convenient for me,” she said. “It’s important because the United States is in a mess.”

Lovegrove said she was driven to the polls on issues of immigration, education, tax reform and jobs.

Gary Cuellar waited in a line that extended into the hallway at the courthouse. He said it was convenient to vote early but also a civic duty.

“It’s good not to have to fight the crowds on my way to work,” he said. “I’ve always thought that if you don’t vote, well, you can’t complaint.”

For some, voting before Election Day was the only way they’d be able to participate.

Such was the case for Tara Johnson, who had to travel to Palm Springs, California, for work and would be there on Election Day.

“Early voting has been a Godsend for me for several years due to work travel. Where you are shouldn’t be an excuse to avoid your civic duty,” the Cummins employee said.

Voting to her is personal, she said.

“Too many human minorities have fought, been jailed, faced persecution and even died for me to turn a blind eye to my civic duty,” she said. “And with so many civil rights still under attack, it’s important to me to vote for officials that share my personal values toward human dignity.”

Lowery said early voting is becoming more and more common during elections, which is one reason for such an increase in numbers.

“Early voting is an option more people are taking advantage of each election cycle,” she said.

Lowery said more people are becoming familiar with the electronic voting machines, which are used during early voting.

“Used to, that wasn’t the case, but people have gotten to where they’re comfortable with them,” she said.

Lowery said turnout among early voters also has been impacted by their view of the election.

“I think a lot of people think this is a really important election and are coming out to vote,” she said.

The race for the U.S. Senate between incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, and Republican Mike Braun is one of the most watched races in the country and has been driving turnout throughout the state.

Locally, the race for Jackson County sheriff between Democrat Jeff Walters and Republican Rick Meyer also is one of the most-watched races.

Other local races on the ballot include clerk, recorder, council district seats, township trustee and board races and local school board races. The circuit court judge, prosecutor, assessor and commissioner District 3 are all unopposed.

Lowery said things went smooth for early voting because of the poll workers who are dedicated to the job.

“It’s really helpful to have people who are willing to work the entire time frame,” she said. “I had great crews at both locations this year who stepped up and did a great job.”

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