Early in-person voting and by mail in the Mahoning Valley is so strong that election officials are increasing their projections for turnout.

Stephanie Penrose, Trumbull County Board of Elections director, had estimated turnout at 75 percent before early voting started Oct. 6. She now says it could reach as high as 80 percent.

Thomas McCabe, deputy director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, had predicted turnout of 70 to 72 percent before early voting. He’s upped it a little to 72 to 73 percent, but said he “wouldn’t be shocked” with 74 to 75 percent.

Penrose said: “If we judge it on absentee and (in-person) early voting, it’s going to be crazy on Election Day. We might hit 80 percent because we’re seeing crazy high numbers. We’re seeing people standing in line in droves to vote at the early voting center.”

She added: “In almost 20 years, I’ve never seen anything like this in turnout. It makes me feel good. I wish we had this type of turnout in every election. To have this many people turn out next year for township trustees and council members would be great, but we won’t see it. But it kind of makes the hard work worthwhile.”

Election workers have been putting in long hours for the past few months preparing for this election, processing early ballots and requests, running early voting centers, getting enough cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment and training those working the polls on new policies because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ENTHUSIASM

The presidential election between incumbent Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden is responsible for the turnout, Penrose and McCabe said.

Both counties hit record highs in early in-person voting and those who voted by mail, largely because of the pandemic, they said.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm to vote,” McCabe said. “We’re seeing so many people voting early. Some are doing it because they’re concerned that polling locations are going to be closed like they were in the primary. But that’s not going to happen in this election. We’re having Election Day.”

Turnout in Mahoning County in 2016 was 70.8 percent and 72.2 percent in 2012.

In Trumbull County, turnout four years ago was 69.7 percent and 67.8 percent in 2012.

At least 50 percent of ballots cast in this election will be early voters, Penrose and McCabe said.

That will make it easier to handle voters going to polling locations Tuesday, they said.

“Particularly with this election because of COVID, we’re seeing a shift in how people are voting,” McCabe said. “We had (almost) everyone vote by mail in the primary so people are used to that.”

TIME TO VOTE

Those wanting to vote in-person before Tuesday’s election can do so 1 to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

The Trumbull County early voting center is at the former Chase Bank building, 2911 Youngstown Road SE, Warren, next to the board office.

The Mahoning County center is at the Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown.

Also, all early absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday and arrive no later than 10 days after Tuesday’s election for them to be counted. They can also be placed in drop boxes outside boards of elections until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Polling locations are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Mahoning and Trumbull boards have spent time making sure polling locations are as safe as possible, McCabe and Penrose said.

That includes cleaning surfaces before and after every voter as well as other times during the day. Those going to the polls are urged to wear face masks and practice social distancing, particularly as the state is experiencing record high numbers of COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks.

“We’re taking numerous precautions for Election Day, just as we have been at our early voting center, to make sure people are safe when they vote,” McCabe said.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com