Early voting surges in Southwest Ohio while mail ballots drop
Officials in five counties report record in-person early turnout, though the decline in absentee ballots remains unexplained.
By Harvey Wilson ·
Election officials across Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky are tracking a sharp divergence in voting habits this midterm cycle. In-person early voting numbers have climbed well above levels seen in 2022, while the use of mail ballots has fallen. This shift is forcing clerks to reassess their expectations for total turnout as voters head to the polls.
In Warren County, Ohio, Board of Elections Director Brian Sleeth reported that more than 32,000 residents cast early in-person ballots. That figure is nearly double the 18,000 who voted early in 2022. Conversely, the office issued just over 17,000 absentee ballots this year, down from nearly 24,000 in the previous midterm. Sleeth attributed the drop in mail voting to a lack of trust in the postal system, noting that many voters expressed this concern directly to poll staff.
Campbell County, Kentucky, experienced a similar trend with in-person voting. Clerk Jim Luersen stated that early in-person voters reached 8,042, a significant jump from the 5,163 recorded in 2022. This group represents roughly 10% of the county's total registered voters. Luersen expects a heavier turnout than typical midterms, advising voters to bring identification and review the ballot before visiting their polling place.
In Hamilton County, Ohio, Elections Director Sherry Poland confirmed that approximately 77,000 people voted early in-person, setting a record for a midterm election. Poland noted that the county has 616,000 registered voters, a number she considers slightly high due to a delay in removing residents who moved away. She projects a final turnout of about 50%, which she describes as on-pace for a midterm. Polls in the county are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Clermont County, Ohio, saw a 123% increase in early in-person voting, rising from 8,500 in 2022 to more than 19,000 this year. Deputy Director of Elections Chris Dennison said the county issued just under 14,000 mail ballots, compared to 18,000 in 2022. Dennison suggested that intense media coverage and candidate messaging created a sense of urgency among voters. He predicts overall turnout could reach 65%, up from the usual 55%.
Butler County, Ohio, reported a nearly 30% overall increase in early voting. Board of Elections Deputy Director Eric Corbin explained that while in-person early voting rose by 91%, mail voting decreased by 28%. Corbin said the Secretary of State sent absentee applications to every voter, but the office received fewer returned forms than expected. The county is currently at 23% turnout, with historical averages for Election Day ranging from 50% to 55%.
Kentucky law recently changed to allow early in-person voting, a factor officials say is driving higher participation. Boone County Clerk Justin Criegler stated that about 10.1% of registered voters in the county have already voted by mail or in person. Criegler described the turnout as rising to presidential levels. In Kenton County, Clerk Gabrielle Summe noted that early voting numbers are up, though registration levels match those of 2022. Polls in Kentucky are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
