Turnout is solid (11/04/2008)

With a hotly contested election from the local to national levels, this year's strong turnout rate isn't that surprising.

After 2,130 people took advantage of early voting (1,773 in the courthouse and 357 from mail-ins and the traveling board), Jay County Clerk Jane Ann Runyon said she expects around two-thirds of the county's 12,096 registered voters to cast a ballot in this election.

Good turnout was seen around the county this morning at Jay County's 13 polling sites, with ideal weather expected to only boost what is expected to be solid voter turnout.

"I think from what we had with the absentee and what I've heard so far this morning, I'd guess maybe, 60, 65 percent (turnout), maybe more," she said.

About 17.6 percent of Jay County's total voters cast their votes before this morning, a rate that's greatly increased compared to past years.

Runyon said this morning there were no major setbacks at any of the county's 21 precincts and that she expected the election process to go smoothly today.

There were about 15 people waiting when polls opened today at 6 a.m. at the Wayne 7 precinct at the First Church of the Nazarene, Portland on South Shank Street.

Polls close at 6 p.m. today, and barring problems, all ballots in the county could be counted by 7:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]