More than 26,000 ballots cast during early voting

ANDERSON — Almost 26,000 local residents have cast ballots in the general election with two more days of early voting remaining before Tuesday. According to information from the Madison County Clerk’s office, 25,844 people had voted through Wednesday. Early voting continues Friday at the satellite vote centers from 10 a.

m. to 6 p.m.



and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.

m. There were lines Thursday morning at the Cross Roads Global Methodist Church and the United Auto Workers Local 662 union hall. The local leaders of both major political parties in Madison County are anticipating that turnout will surpass 60% by the time the polls close at 6 p.

m. Tuesday. Four years ago, 57% of the county’s registered voters cast ballots with 52,409 votes cast among 91,351 registered voters.

In 2016, 56% of voters cast a ballot, with 54,958 people voting out of 97,573 registered. Hope Webster was sitting in her car Thursday, two hours before early voting opened for the day at the Pendleton Library. It was her first time voting early because she didn’t want to deal with any lines on Election Day.

“I’m concerned about the economy,” she said. Danny Parlegg was waiting in line at Cross Roads; he said he always votes early. “I have waited in some long lines,” he said.

“I’m not concerned about any one issue.” Madison Huffman was also waiting at Cross Roads and wanted to avoid the long lines. Huffman said she voted early two years ago.

“It’s important that people vote,” she said. Katie Powell at the UAW union hall in Anderson was voting early for the first time. “The last presidential election, I waited about six hours,” she said.

“I vote every year.” Powell said education, immigration laws and health care are among her top concerns. “I think it’s great to see so many women on the ballot,” she said.

“It’s about time.” Mike Kirk was voting at the union hall and was voting early because he wanted to stay away from the crowds. He said, “A friend told us he voted here in 20 minutes, and we decided to come out.

” Kirk said issues of concern for him include immigration, the economy, and the status of the world with wars being fought in Israel and the Ukraine. He said the number of women on the ballot doesn’t matter to him. Terri Austin, chairwoman of the Madison County Democratic Party, said the number of early voters is encouraging.

“It’s very encouraging to see the interest with the early voting turnout,” she said. “People still believe in our system of conducting elections.” Austin complimented the work of the Madison County Clerk’s Office on how they responded to any issues and concerns during the early voting.

“It won’t surprise me if we hit 60% or higher turnout,” she said. “There are a record number of first-time voters.” Austin encouraged people to vote as early as possible to avoid long lines on Tuesday.

Russ Willis, chairman of the Madison County Republican Party, said it was good to see people voting early and taking the election seriously. Willis said 30% of the registered voters in the county could have cast ballots early. “There are a number of people who have never voted before,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t have the highest turnout ever.” Willis, chairman of the Madison County Election Board, said the early voting has gone very smoothly. “People are being cordial and being considerate of others,” he said.

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