Early voter turnout already exceeds records set in 2004 General Election
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In the countdown to the General Election, there’s one thing both sides will agree on – every vote is crucial. There has been a major push to get the word out about absentee voting in hopes that more people will find a convenient time to vote – which will also cut down on long lines at the polls on November 4.
“We have been fairly busy for absentee voting,” said Jennifer Baxter, chief deputy of voter registration in Whitley County. “We are way above (the early voter turnout in 2004) and we still have a week and three days.”
As of this morning, a grand total of 1532 total early voters have cast their ballots in Whitley County. According to Baxter’s records, in 2004 14.53% of all registered voters (19,975) cast absentee ballots for a total of 1,375 absentee ballots cast. 
“This week we’ve had two days with over 100 voters,” Baxter added. “Yesterday we had 121 (voters).” On Tuesday, 103 voters walked into the office to vote.
“People think that early voting is a new thing,” said Baxter. “We’ve always had absentee voting for four weeks before the election.”
“I know the state party sent out (absentee) applications so we’ve had quite a few of those come in for the mail outs,” she said. “I’m not sure what the big push for walk-ins has been, maybe the media? It’s definitely a lot more than we ever have.”
Baxter said early voters can expect to wait up to 15 minutes in line, but points out the wait will likely be closer to 30-45 minutes on Election Day. Baxter anticipates a quicker voting process this General Election since the optical scanning process was replaced with the current voting machines in 2006, two years after the last General Election.
“You don’t need a reason to vote early in our office, but you do need a reason to vote early by mail,” said Baxter.
“We can receive absentee applications until October 27, 2008 for anyone requesting to receive a ballot by mail,” Baxter said. Those ballots must be received by the Clerk’s Office no later than midnight on October 27, 2008. You can still walk in to vote most days between now and November 3 at noon.
Whitley County has exactly 21,419 registered voters who will be eligible to cast a vote in the 2008 General Election. That number is up from 19,975 registered voters in the last Presidential election.
Baxter has done her research on voter turnout in Whitley County. “I went as far back as I could find and 2004 was a record turnout,” Baxter said. “People really do come out and vote on Presidential years.”
“If we can get over that 2004 number, it’s huge,” said Baxter.
One of the most prevalent questions Baxter is hearing this year is that people want to view the sample ballot in advance.
Fortunately, sample ballots are available for viewing at www.elections.whitleynet.org. A sample ballot can be viewed by clicking on the left hand side of the page.
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, you can vote absentee on Saturdays, October 25 and November 1, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Monday, November 3, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. If you miss those days and times, be sure to show up on General Election Day, November 4, from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. at your polling site.
Baxter reminds voters to bring along a valid voter ID such as a current Indiana driver’s license. Voters have had to show photo ID since 2006.
If you have any questions about your registration, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 248-3164.