The line to get into the Erie County Courthouse went outside of the building Monday, and the line outside of the elections office snaked an entire hallway’s length.
Why? More people than ever before are voting early in Erie County.
“Well your voice matters every time you vote, but in this particular election, as with the last few, we’re so divided that I think you need to go out and make your voice heard,” said Tom Szkotnicki, an Erie County voter.
“It’s relatively early, and so I was surprised to see so many people down here but excited about it,” said Kit Jaskiewicz, another Erie County voter.
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Director of Elections Tonia Fernandez said there’s been a massive push from both Republicans and Democrats to vote, and vote early, and that’s why they’re seeing these record numbers of voters.
The increased turnout for early voting has prompted the elections office to hire more staff members to handle the volume of voters.