Number of Hoosiers voting early could break midterm election record

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We’re just days away from Election Day, and thousands of people are turning out to vote early.

In fact, state leaders said Friday we’re on track to break midterm election numbers from recent years.

For the first time in 50 years, Norma Park of Indianapolis decided to cast her vote early.

“I think it’s a very good thing! Everybody’s schedule is quite different,” Park said. 

She’s not alone. Indiana’s top election official, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, said as of Friday, 321,535 people have voted early statewide. Lawson said that’s more than this midterm election time in 2014, and about 51,000 away from this time in the 2016 election.

Lawson said, “We could break a midterm election record this year, and I’m really excited about it!”

Lawson explained why so many people are voting early. “It’s the candidates and the issues that drive voters to the polls.” 

In Marion County, we caught up with Matt Richter of Indianapolis after he cast his early vote.

“I think folks are really enthusiastic this year. I think this is one year you really can say this is the most important election of our lifetime.,” Richter said. 

Myla Eldridge, Marion County’s clerk, said “Marion County’s numbers for early voting are phenomenal. They are higher than the last midterm election, which was in 2014. We are excited to see so many voters participate in democracy.”

“We have been processing early voters, getting them in and out,” Eldrige added. 

The Marion County clerk wants voters to download their ballot, and review the candidates and issues.

“Your vote counts,” Eldridge said. “Every vote counts. One vote makes a difference.”

Early voting ends at noon Nov. 5, the day before Election Day.

Marion County residents began early voting Friday at regional voting centers . They are open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends.

Here is the list of locations:

• Glick Technology Center, on the campus of Ivy Tech Community College: 2620 N. Meridian St.
• Franklin Township Annex Learning Center, 6019 S. Franklin Road.
• International Marketplace Coalition, 3685 Commercial Drive.
• Lawrence Education & Community Center, 6501 Sunnyside Road.
• Perry Township Government Center, 4925 Shelby Street, Room 200.
• Washington Township Government Center, 5302 N. Keystone Ave.

So, you have plenty of time to find your polling place if you want to vote early. If you’d rather wait until Election Day, find your polling place on IndianaVoters.com.