COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans cast their ballots early for the November 2022 election in record numbers, Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced on Monday evening.
According to a release from LaRose, 1,550,440 million Ohio voters either requested an absentee ballot or cast their ballot early in person, breaking the previous record set in 2018 for a 'Gubernatorial General Election' by 3.9%.
“The record-setting number of Ohioans who utilized our two early voting options is great news for those hoping for shorter lines on Election Day,” said LaRose in a statement. “While we still expect a particularly strong turnout, we’re confident our bipartisan election officials are prepared and ready to execute on another successful election. Make sure your voice is heard.”
During an interview with 3News' Dave Chudowsky, LaRose talked about the process being the key for the high turnout. 'We know why, it’s because Ohioans know that they can trust their elections, that they really are impactful and honest elections, but also because we make it convenient in Ohio," he said.
Data shows that 549,771 Ohioans voted early in-person in this election, compared to 429,521 at the same point in 2018. LaRose says absentee ballot requests have decreased slightly from four years ago. As of Monday afternoon more than 154,000 outstanding absentee ballots had yet to be returned.
“Usually midterm elections have lower turn out than presidential elections," said Justin Buchler, an associate professor of political science at Case Western Reserve University. But there may be a higher level of interest in this year’s elections just because we’ve sort of had a higher level of political engagement over the last few years.”
All absentee ballots received by the county board of elections by the close of polls on November 8 will be included in the unofficial vote totals released on election night.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections reports that 20,183 people cast their ballots in early voting, including 1,315 on Monday. The BOE adds that 125,289 vote-by-mail ballots have been returned out of 149,247 requested. In 2018, Cuyahoga County saw 19,335 residents participate in early voting, with 181,557 vote-by-mail ballots returned out of 203,501 requested.
The BOE says to expect results to start coming in by 8 p.m. on Election Night. "What they'll see at that point is the early in-person voting that happened, as well as the vote-by-mail ballots that have been received," said Tony Perlatti, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. "Then you most likely won't see results again until 9 o'clock."
More 3News Election Coverage:
- VOTER GUIDE | November 8 general election in Ohio: See what's on the ballot and how to find your polling place
- Gov. Mike DeWine, Rep. Tim Ryan make swing through Northeast Ohio as Election Day approaches
- Justice Department to monitor Cuyahoga County polling locations on Election Day
- Cuyahoga County Board of Elections announces several voting location changes ahead of Nov. 8 midterms