Voter turnout already 40 percent higher compared to 2016

NORWALK — Voter turnout across the country is hitting record highs, with already 66 million casting their ballots. Huron County board of elections director Cecilia Blevins said voter turnout for the county is already 40 percent higher compared to 2016. As of 7 p.m. Monday, 13,306 residents have participated in early voting. For absentee ballots, the board is receiving an average of 385 ballots a day since early in-person voting began, in total receiving 11,518 ballots so far. For a presidential election, Blevins said the turnout is usually 80 percent and with early voting, there is a steady flow of voters. "We have gotten feedback from many voters stating the experience was a good one, the poll workers were very nice and explained things good to them," Blevins said. "The voters seem pleased with the (COVID-19) precautions we have taken." The board is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The last opportunity to vote early is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. For those with absentee ballots, Blevins said if the voter follows the instructions, fills out the ID envelope and places their voted ballot inside the ID envelope, leaving the stub attached, the mail-in absentee ballot will count. Be sure the envelope is signed, too. "There is tracking for the absentee ballot on our website; www.huron.boe.ohio.gov, voter tools, ballot tracking. Select General Election, Nov. 3, 2020, enter the voter's last name and date of birth, then hit search," she said.