Vanderburgh Co. officials see surge in early voting

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Early voting has been underway for over two weeks in parts of the Tri-State.

This has led to long lines in places as many voters look to cast their ballots before election day.

Evansville’s Central Library has been extra popular lately as many voters look to cast their ballot.

Election officials say they’re happy with what they’re seeing so far, and they’re doing what they can to keep up.

“It’s going well, as far as getting in and out and not having any problems,” said Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Clerk Marsha Barnhart. “But it’s very, very busy, so all the branches have some wait.”

She says she’s seeing more people recognize the possibility that something could go wrong on election day, so they’re making sure their vote gets counted by voting early.

She says she’s seeing increased investment in this election too, with more people studying the ballot beforehand.

With less than two weeks left until November 5, she says over 21,000 people have already voted in the county as of Thursday night between in-person and mail-in votes.

“I can remember elections in Vanderburgh County 20 years ago where we wouldn’t have 20,000 at the end of election night, so this is big for us,” said Barnhart.

As long lines form at polling places, she says the election office has taken additional voting machines where they can, but the size of the voting area limits how many machines can be in any one space.

She’s also happy to say there’s been an increase in the number of young people voting this year, as they’re sending a lot of ballots to students in other cities.

“They’re the ones that should be stepping up,” said Barnhart. “It’s their future and their world they’re voting on. My world is behind me, but their world is ahead of them, and I’m thrilled to see them take an interest in it and decide how things are going to be.”

She encourages everyone to plan ahead, and not to be intimidated by long lines.

Click here to see early voting locations in Vanderburgh County.

Happening Saturday, more early voting locations are opening across Evansville.

According to the city government’s website, those will be Northeast Park Baptist Church and Cedar Hall School.

They will be open this Saturday and next Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Central Library will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

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