Cole County sees high voter turnout

In Cole County, polling stations are seeing even more of a voter turnout than expected.

County Clerk Marvin Register estimated about 34% percent of voters would turn out Tuesday in Cole County, but said he’s seen more people at the polls than expected.

“Oh I think there are some real close races there, I really do, I just hope it’s more than 2% percent that they win by so we don’t have to have any recounts”, said Register.

The polls opened at 6:00 a.m. and so far a majority of the 36 countywide polling stations have been busier than the 34% percent expected turn out.

Register said, “Turnout has really been good, we’re starting to have to take extra ballots to the polling places”.

Register also said the main reason voters are heading to the polls this year is because of the people on the ballots.

“There was a couple things on the changing constitution and a couple people I really wanted to see get into office”, said voter Richard Rice.

“Well they are all important but we had some major ones that we had to do some considering about and thinking about and making sure they got in, the ones we wanted”, said Ginger Hunter, who voted in Cole County Tuesday.

The three close races are expected to be for the 19th Circuit Judge, County Clerk and Prosecutor. Regardless of who they voted for, everyone I spoke with at the polls agreed it’s important to have your voice heard.

“It’s a right you have as each citizen and it’s important to exercise it because then you have made your voice heard and I believe that there are places in the world where they don’t have that right or it is taken away from them and you’d treat it more preciously if you lived in a place like that”, said voter Margaretanne McJunkin.

“We really need to make sure you take the opportunity to vote because you do have a vested interest obviously in the outcomes”, said voter Todd Large.

Polls close at 7:00 Tuesday. Remember to bring your voter’s registration card or a form of ID, like a drivers license.