Voters flock to polls, early voting in record numbers

It appears record numbers of voters cast ballots in Henry, Jefferson and Washington counties in Tuesday's general election.

With beautiful weather, temperatures in the 70s, and a long and heated campaign for numerous races including president and the U.S. Senate, voters turned out in droves to make sure their voices were heard.

Henry County saw a record number of voters, both in-person and those who turned in absentee ballots.

In the 2016 general election, the county received 4,486 absentee ballots with 9,500 total ballots cast.

This year, more than 6,000 voters turned in absentee ballots ahead of Election Day, according to Henry County Auditor Shelley Barber. By mid-day, only 154 absentee ballots were outstanding, the office reported. In total, the county received and counted 6,380 absentee ballots by 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The number of absentee ballots requested in Jefferson County this year was more than double the number requested four years ago.

Jefferson County Elections Clerk Abbie DeKleine said 3,490 absentee ballots were requested for this election, and 3,407 of those (98 percent) were returned by Election Day. Another 2,684 people voted in-person absentee by casting a ballot in the courthouse before Election Day.

In 2016, the number of absentee ballots requested in the county was 1,553, of which 1,520 were returned. That year, 2,725 people voted in-person absentee at the courthouse.

With a constant line throughout the day, it was no surprise to poll workers at the Washington County Courthouse when there were still 20 people waiting to vote at 9 p.m.

The final count for in-person voting in Washington was 4,731, plus 7,081 absentee ballots cast.

The numbers could continue to climb. Absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day will be counted if they are delivered by noon on Nov. 9.