US Senate, governor races fuel large early voter turnout in Valley
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People in Trumbull and Mahoning counties came out in droves for the first day of early voting.
Robert Redmond of Youngstown said he often votes early in-person to get it out of the way and make sure that his ballot is counted.
"This allows me to avoid the silliness that happens with politics, particularly this year," Redmond said. "I vote for the best person and who I think will help me the most."
Redmond said he came out largely to vote in the hotly-contested governor and U.S. Senate races.
Mari'sol Rivera of Youngstown said she was excited to vote early. The 19-year-old said, "Honestly, there needs to be more people, especially younger people, coming out to vote."
Lisa Schorr of Canfield said she normally votes on the first day.
"I came out to vote for the levies and to change the political climate," Schorr said. "This is a right that we cannot ignore. If you're not going to vote, close your pie hole."
Schorr said she is hopeful that with her vote, the phone calls and campaign mail she's been receiving about the election will stop.
"I will be jumping up and down if it stops," she said. "We can make a building out of what we've received in the mail."
Ella Tubbs of Youngstown said she had other tasks that needed to get done Tuesday, but "voting is my biggest obligation. It's so important to vote because of the economy. If they see people voting on the first day, they'll be encouraged to vote. We need caring people back in politics."
Tubbs said: "I vote for the memory of all the ones who lost their lives fighting for the right to vote."
Tubbs said supporting Democrat Amy Acton for governor was her "biggest reason to vote."
Stephanie Penrose, director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections, said early voting was "busy and crazy. It's been nonstop and strong. It's what I expected. There's a lot of interest in this year's election. Everything is intense with the statewide races."
People were lined up outside the Trumbull elections board before it opened at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Penrose said.
Penrose expects total turnout to be nearly 60% in her county.
Tom McCabe, director of the Mahoning County Board of Elections, said the board had 30 people vote in the first 10 minutes of early voting.
"People seem enthusiastic about this election," McCabe said. "So far, so good. It's been nice and steady."
McCabe predicted turnout of more than 55% in Mahoning for this election.
Early in-person voting continues Wednesday.
The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday.
It is also 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 to 16 as well as Oct. 19 to 23.
Early in-person voting is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27, and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 to 30.
It is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31, the Saturday before the election, and 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 1, the Sunday before the election.
The Trumbull office is at 2947 Youngstown Road SE, Warren.
The Mahoning office is at Oakhill Renaissance Place, 345 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown.
The polls will be open Nov. 3 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.