A line formed early Oct. 6 at the Franklin County Board of Elections office as voters arrived to make their choices nearly a month before Election Day.
By the time voting began at 8 a.m., residents were ready. A steady flow of voters, ranging from younger adults to retirees, continued through the morning at the early vote center.
For Sunshine Proctor, 63, showing up on the first day was a way to act on her concerns about the country. It was also a return to a place where she feels comfortable casting her ballot.
"It’s always easy here, and that’s why I come here," Proctor said. "I feel safe here."
Early voting began Oct. 6 across Ohio ahead of the Nov.
3 general election. Franklin County elections director Antone White said the board expects a busy voting period, driven in part by an open governor’s race and a competitive U.S. Senate contest.
"We’ve prepared for a lot of people to come vote," White said.
The center has about 75 staff members working and about 125 pieces of voting equipment, giving it the capacity to accommodate up to 800 voters per hour, he said.
An early line moved quickly, White said. Older voters were among those arriving first, though younger people also came out during the morning.
Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Bexley, was among those who cast a ballot, on which he faces incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Upper Arlington.
Franklin County voters get an early start
For Franklin Brown, 83, of Clintonville, voting is a longtime habit with a straightforward explanation.
"If you don’t vote, you can’t complain," he said.
Brown, who arrived with his wife, Susan, previously worked at the polls. He said he had sat out the past two elections as a poll worker after undergoing heart surgery.
Both described the voting process that morning as smooth.
Susan Brown said voting early lets her know her ballot is taken care of before the final rush. She said she has voted since she became eligible and does not believe she has missed an election.
Now, she is encouraging her grandchildren to take part in the civic process.
"I’m nagging my grandchildren about the very same thing," she said.
Dedra Lee, 65, also came early, saying she wanted to change the direction of the country.
"This situation is unbearable," Lee said.
She said she regularly votes early and described the process as easy.
Proctor, who recently celebrated her 63rd birthday, said elections beyond the presidency matter, too. She sees them as the foundation for broader change.
At the Board of Elections, she said, the organization and welcoming staff help make voting a positive experience.
"Everyone is always nice, and I just like coming here," she said.
Election officials urge voters to make a plan
White’s advice to residents is to decide how and when they will cast their ballots.
"I always tell people, 'Make a plan,'" he said.
Voters may request an absentee ballot by mail, vote early in person or go to their assigned polling place on Election Day. White said early voting can offer convenience and remove one task from Election Day.
"We always like when people vote early," he said. "I think it’s a little more convenient."
Franklin County’s early vote center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 23, with Saturday voting beginning Oct. 24 and expanded hours during the final week. Early in-person voting ends Nov. 1. The full schedule is available at vote.franklincountyohio.gov.
Election Day polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3.
Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Early voting opens in Franklin County with a steady turnout
