Absentee, early voting sets record in Sheridan County

More than 4,600 Sheridan County voters have already cast their ballots in this year’s primary elections.

Sheridan County Clerk Eda Schunk Thompson said that’s the number as of Saturday, and it’s a record for absentee voting in a primary election.

Thompson said Monday was the last day that people could cast their votes at the Sheridan County Courthouse, with voting ending at 5 p.m.

All absentee ballots must be returned to the county clerk’s office by 7 p.m. Tuesday in order to be counted. Thompson said absentee ballots will not be accepted at the polling places.

She said Monday was the busiest day for absentee voting, so the number of votes cast before the polls open Tuesday will go up.

Thompson said the number of absentee ballots cast in past years for a primary election have averaged only about 1,500, so she’s super-excited to see this year’s numbers.

Thompson said she doesn’t know what the larger early voter turnout means for the turnout at the polls Tuesday.