TOPEKA (KSNT) — Hundreds of voters headed to the polls Monday as early voting got underway in Shawnee County, with election officials reporting strong turnout on the first day.
Helen Pownell wanted to be the first person to cast a ballot, arriving before the Shawnee County Election Office opened at 8 a.m. on Oct. 19.
“I had forgotten. It opens at eight instead of seven. So I camped out. I had a little chair and I just sat there with a little blanket, and I was number one,” Pownell said.
By 4 p.m. on Oct. 19, more than 1850 people had already voted, according to Jake Fisher, assistant election commissioner for Shawnee County.
“Right now, the turnout has been amazing,” Fisher said. “Our previous record for a non-presidential early voting was about 1,300 in a single day.”
Fisher said competitive races on this year’s ballot could be contributing to the strong turnout.
For Pownell, voting is an important way for people to make their voices heard and influence what happens next.
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“No matter who you vote for, go vote. It’s so important to keeping our American lifestyle,” Pownell said. “If you’re satisfied with what’s happening now, that’s fine. If you’re not, it’s a good time to change.”
Shawnee County voters can look up their sample ballots online before heading to the polls to research candidates and ballot questions.
Early voting at the Shawnee County Election Office continues on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 30. Voting hours will be from 8 a.m. until noon. on Nov. 2 with Election Day on Nov. 3.
For more information, voters can visit the Shawnee County Election Office website to find their sample ballots and additional voting information.
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