3,500 early ballots cast in county

Monday is the last day for early and satellite voting for those wanting to cast ballots but are unable to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

As of Sunday, just over 3,500 ballots had been cast in Monroe County between early and satellite voting sites, along with mail-in ballots, said Lorraine Farrell, the Monroe County Election Board’s Democratic member.

“Compared to the 2008 presidential race, there is no comparison because we had a contested presidential primary,” Farrell said. “We were prepared for a big turnout because we had no idea how the presidential race was going to play out nationally.”

But with Mitt Romney sitting as the presumptive GOP nominee for next fall’s presidential election, Farrell said this will likely cause lower voter turnout during the primary election.
However, voter turnout this year has been higher than past years without presidential candidates on the ballot.

Judith Smith-Ille, the election board chair and Republican member, said early and satellite voting for the primary election was a success.

“At least we’re testing the new equipment, testing the employees and getting everything set up so we’re good to go in the fall,” Smith-Ille said.

­—Mark Keierleber and Jake New