Ohio Early Vote Count Hits 770,601 Ahead of Nov. 3 Election
The total is nearly three times the 2022 midterm record, driven by a new deadline for mail-in ballots and a shift in congressional control.
By Bianca Ricci ·
Ohio voters cast 770,601 early in-person ballots as of Wednesday morning, according to the Ohio Secretary of State.
The figure shatters previous midterm records. In 2018, the state recorded 177,046 early in-person votes during the final week. The 2022 cycle saw that number rise to 265,062.
Jonathan Entin, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, attributes the surge to two main factors. First, many voters prefer the comfort of visiting their county board of elections. Second, the state changed its rules for mail-in ballots this year.
Under the new guidelines, a mail-in ballot must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 to count. Previously, officials counted ballots received days after the election. Entin suggests some voters fear missing the stricter deadline.
The election will determine control of Congress, where Republicans currently hold a thin majority in both the House and the Senate. Entin predicts Democrats will likely retake the House, but expects the Senate race to remain close.
The Nov. 3 deadline approaches with days remaining for Ohioans to cast their votes.
Source: WOIO
