Hamilton County voters cast 9,482 ballots during the first four days of early in-person voting, more than two and a half times the 3,616 cast during the same stretch in 2022.

The surge, first reported by WLWT, comes three weeks before the Nov. 3 general election. For Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township residents, the ballot includes a 6.95-mill Sycamore Community Schools property tax levy, the Ohio 8th Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Warren Davidson and Democrat Vanessa Enoch, and statewide contests for governor and U.S. Senate.

Sherry Poland, director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections, said more voters are choosing to cast ballots in person rather than by mail. But she tempered expectations.

"I don't think we're looking at a historic turnout. I think it will be a good turnout," Poland said.

The shift is playing out statewide. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the first day of early voting, 30,326 people voted in person across 77 of Ohio's 88 counties, a 138% increase over the same day in 2022, cleveland.com reported. Hamilton County alone jumped 175% on that first day, from 940 voters to 2,583.

Absentee ballot requests are down. About 667,371 Ohioans had requested mail ballots as of early October, roughly 18% fewer than the approximately 812,000 requested at the same point in 2022, according to Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office.

David Niven, a University of Cincinnati political science professor, said many Democrats shifted to in-person voting after President Donald Trump pushed to restrict mail ballots. Democrats cast 56% of Hamilton County's early votes during the first week, followed by unaffiliated voters at about 31% and Republicans at about 13%.

Vice President JD Vance cast his early ballot Friday, Oct. 9, at the Board of Elections office in Norwood, WCPO reported.

What's on the ballot locally

Montgomery, Blue Ash and most Sycamore Township voters will decide on the Sycamore schools levy. The district's levy FAQ shows the 6.95-mill request includes 5.00 mills for operating expenses and 1.95 mills for permanent improvements, as approved by the Sycamore Board of Education.

The ballot also features the governor's race between Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted, and Ohio House races.

How to vote early

Early in-person voting takes place only at the Hamilton County Board of Elections, 4700 Smith Road, Norwood. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 23. Saturday voting is available Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended weekday hours begin Oct. 26, with the final day of early voting on Sunday, Nov. 1.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Polls on Election Day, Nov. 3, open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The board is still looking for poll workers, who earn at least $225 for training and Election Day. Voters can call 513-946-8500 or visit the board's election calendar for the full schedule.