CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Election officials in Clay County say the county set a single-day early voter record this past weekend.

Election Clerk Anola Gallion says 538 people voted early on Saturday, October 24. That number beat the previous single-day voter record of 516 in 2016.

Gallion says the county has already received more than a thousand mail-in ballots and is approaching 3,600 in-person early voters so far.

She says of Clay County’s nearly 19,000 registered voters, more than 25% have already cast a ballot. Gallion expects that number to grow.

“I’ve heard a lot of reasons why people are coming out for early voting. A lot of people are afraid of getting a COVID diagnosis and having to be in quarantine on Election Day. A lot of people are looking for shorter lines for better social distancing. Some people don’t want to stand in the rain and drizzle on November 3rd if that happens, so they’re in the courthouse where it’s warm,” says Gallion.

She says wait times have been about 45 minutes long, but that it’s sometimes 20 minutes or less.

Gallion says they will locations open for early voting on Saturday, October 31. You can see more information about Clay County’s voting locations and times here.

Gallion reminds voters that they can vote early until noon on Monday, November 2. After that, voters can cast ballots on Election Day, November 3.