Election day nearing

VIGO CO., Ind. (WTHI) - Election day is less than a month away, but that's not stopping thousands of people from heading to the polls early.

Early voting started in Indiana last week and officials expect record numbers.

This point in the election season is usually when voters start dreading campaigns.

The commercials never seem to end and you just want to get your voting over with. Now you can.

"Early voting offers another opportunity for voters to vote at their convenience, a time that is good for them so they don't have to be burdened," said Dr. Matthew Bergbower. Bergbower is a professor of Political Science at Indiana State University.

Last Monday marked the first day Indiana residents could vote in this year's election.

In 2008, almost 34% of Vigo County voters went to the polls prior to election day.

This year, some experts predict that number to be closer to 40%.

"We need to recognize that voters are busy people," said Dr. Bergbower. "Tuesday is not necessarily a good day for everyone to turn out to vote. Voting is a cost."

That cost includes transportation to and from the polls, as well as the time spent waiting in line.

This early voting doesn't just affect the voters, it also has an affect on the candidates.

"If you know early voting is going on right now, and you're behind in the early voting, that may tweak your message a little bit," said Dr. Bergbower. "It may offer a little more desperation in your campaign speeches and in your appeals to voters."

This makes each debate and rally that much more important, as the final push to election day is starting earlier than ever.

Dr. Bergbower says states that have early voting usually have a high voter turnout.

To vote early, all you need to do is head to your county clerk's office.