5:30 P.M. update:
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Early in-person voting for the Nov. 3 presidential election got off to a record-breaking start on Tuesday, with a steady line of voters at FairOaks Mall all day, including around 15 people who were still in line as the polls closed at 5 p.m.
A total of 729 voters cast their ballots on the first day of early in-person voting at the former Carson’s store at FairOaks Mall—an all-time record for the first day of early in-person voting, said Bartholomew County Clerk Jay Phelps.
By comparison, 264 people voted on the first day of early in-person voting for the 2016 presidential election, according to county records.
“I couldn’t have guessed that number if I tried, incredibly large for a first day,” Phelps said. “Sometimes we don’t even get 1,000 in the first week. So this is really impressive. …I don’t think there was ever really a lull the entire day.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Early in-person voting for the Nov. 3 presidential election has gotten off to a quick start this morning, with a line at one point stretching about “60 to 70 yards” outside the former Carson’s store at FairOaks Mall, election officials said.
A total of 126 voters in Bartholomew County had casted their ballots as of roughly 10 a.m., just two hours after the polls opened, said Bartholomew County Jay Phelps.
Early in-person voting will be held at the former Carson’s space weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from today to Oct. 30.
Additionally, early voting will be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the former Carson’s store the two Saturdays prior to election day — Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 — and from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2. No early voting will be held at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
So far, everything is running smoothly at the former Carson’s store, Phelps said.
“So far, so good,” Phelps said. “We’re able to get voters through at a good speed. It’s just been a consistent flow. The poll workers have done an excellent job of keeping the voters spaced out, wiping down the equipment, and everyone seems to be having an enjoyable experience.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
