Last-minute voters visit the Shawnee County Election Office

TOPEKA (KSNT)— On Monday, Nov. 4, the Shawnee County Election Office parking lot was packed with last-minute early voters.

Early voters had until noon to cast their ballots. Workers were directing traffic in the parking lot to ensure everything ran smoothly. 

Last week, the Shawnee County election office surpassed previous early voting records, saying more than 25,000 people voted early. 

We contacted Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell, who sent us these stats as of close on Monday, Nov. 4.

• 25,681: Total early ballots cast at the office.
• 6,554: Mail ballots returned to the election office.
• 87 poll places open on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• 118,792: Certified totals for registered voters in this election in Shawnee County.

Howell says his office typically sees roughly 75% turnout during election years. 

"It might be a little higher," Howell said. "But it's really hard to know if this early voting is just people wanting to get through and be done early. That would have already went vote at the polls. So, I don't know that I'm convinced that that is going to translate to Election Day as well. Hard to say. I mean, I simply don't know."

Howell also says they printed more than enough ballots and are prepared for Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 5 and close at 7 p.m.

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