By Hunter Bonner
It is hard to believe, but Monday, October 24, 2022 is the first day of early voting in-person. The last day to vote early in-person is Friday, November 4, 2022. If you think you may not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022, please consider voting early.
As a resident of Marion County now for close to eight years, I have voted in local, state, and federal elections, and almost exclusively voted early. There are a number of benefits to voting early.
First, this particular election promises to see a major turnout of voters on Election Day. These elections are for the country’s mid-Presidential term elections, which has many people running for Congress on the ballot. Also, this is a gubernatorial (governor’s) election, which historically promises to be a busy day at the polls.
When you vote early, many times you can avoid waiting in line to cast your ballot. In my experience at the Marion County Elections Building, you can walk right in, check in, and cast your ballot with little, to no wait time. Therefore, if you have a lunch break of 30 minutes, you could easily get in and get out, with time to spare.
Second, there are two weeks of early voting that are scheduled. This gives you the flexibility to choose the day you want to come down and vote. For myself, we have made it a family tradition that we go as a family to vote early, and do our civic duty. Also, when you plan out the day you are going to vote during early voting, you can take some additional time to review the candidates, what they stand for, and make your decision before visiting the polls. This way, you have already answered, “Who do I vote for?”, or, “What do they stand for?”
Another reason to vote early is that it may be more comfortable for those who are elderly, and have mobility issues. Because there is an absence of a wait time, you are able to get to a voting booth without having to stand outside the building in line.
Finally, early voting eliminates the excuses to not vote. You have Monday through Friday for two solid weeks to cast your ballot. If you can take time out of your schedule to get a drive-thru take out meal, you have time to stop by the polls and make your voice heard. You are able to do so without the potential wait times on Election Day. Early voting was specifically created for this purpose.
Therefore, if you do not want to get out on Election Day, November 8, and you want to avoid lines and wait times, early voting is the way to go. You have a right to make your voice heard, and you have every ample opportunity to do so.
Hunter Bonner is the President of the Marion County Republican Assembly, and a lifelong Republican activist. He can be reached at hunterbonner@outlook.com, or on Twitter @HunterBonner. His views are his own.