Area residents are turning out for early voting at a rate that could equal a quarter of all local ballots cast in the November 2014 election.
Turnout statewide is predicted at 2.5 million voters, or 56.4 percent, about the same as during the 2012 gubernatorial recall election, a story from WTMJ 4 News reads.
In the Villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant early voter traffic was brisk, and Friday afternoon was especially busy.
At 4 p.m., with an hour still to go, Caledonia Village Clerk Kari Torkilsen said around 2,500 people had voted. There are about 16,000 registered voters in all in the village.
Mount Pleasant Village Clerk/Treasurer Stephanie Kohlhagen had similar figures; 2,500 by 3:30 p.m. and 17,700 registered voters.
“I have quite a few absentee ballots still to be entered, so I wouldn’t be surprised to end up at about 3,000 ballots in early voting,” she said.
Kohlhagen said there’s been an increase of early voters in recent years because of changes in state law so residents don’t have to give a reason why they need an absentee ballot.
Administrator/Clerk Mary Cole in Sturtevant said around noon that 400 residents had cast a ballot, and she expected another 100 before the 5 p.m. deadline.
“Traffic has been steady, especially today,” she said. “I expect to get another 100 at least by the end of the day.
The general election is Tuesday.