Intense campaign sends more voters to the polls early

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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Early voting for Indiana's primary

A growing number of people are taking advantage of early voting for this year's Indiana primaries. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 21, 2008 at 3:30 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2008 at 12:24 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Many counties have reported an increase in the number of people voting early this year. It's a sign of the intense interest in this year's campaign. In some counties, the numbers of absentee voters, in person or by mail, is close to the amount they had four years ago, and there are two weeks of early voting left.

In St. Joseph County for instance, state records already show more than 1,100 have voted absentee in person. That's close to the total number that voted in the last election. Officials expect those numbers to increase.

“No lines, fast, in and out,” said Margaret McGilvra, who voted early in South Bend. “I already knew who I was voting for, so get it over with so I can enjoy the returns.”

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have pushed voting early in the primary states where it is available.

Obama has gone as far as reminding people in his television ads.

Carolyn Dudley has campaigned for the senator and is voting early for the first time.

“I know I did a lot of campaigning telling people about voting early,” Dudley said. “A lot of them said that they were going to.”

Clerks in Elkhart, Fulton and Kosciusko counties also reported increases in early voters than in past elections.

Meanwhile, Starke and Marshall counties report the numbers are about the same.

Voter registration is also up. State officials reported 150,000 people registered to vote between the first of the year and early April.

“This election means something to everyone, so they want to make their vote count and they want to get in and get it done,” said Clarence Austin, who voted early in South Bend.

You can vote early right up until the day before the primaries at the County-City Building in South Bend or at the County Services Building in Mishawaka. For more information on other counties, contact your county clerk's office.

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