Staff writer
Advance voting in the Aug. 2 primary election begins today.
Voters can cast early votes at the courthouse. Hours also have been extended to make it easier for voters who can’t make it to the courthouse during regular business hours, county clerk Tina Spencer said.
Advance voting will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 1. Polls will stay open until 7 p.m. July 20 and 27. Additionally, polls will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31.
The number of advance voters has increased in recent years, Spencer said.
Since the ballot is longer, with more seats up for grabs, the clerk expects a large turnout this year. That’s part of the reason Election Day polling locations will be different this year.
In Hillsboro, polling booths will be at Hillsboro Elementary School.
In Goessel, they will be at Goessel Mennonite Church.
In Peabody, voting will be at Peabody/Burns High School.
In Florence, it will be at Florence City Building.
In Marion, it will be at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Election hours Aug. 2 will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“My goal with the change in locations is to have shorter lines,” Spencer said.
Electronic poll books will be used for the first time this year. Voters will sign in on a computer, Spencer said.