Voters across both Potter and Randall Counties turned out strong on the first day of early voting, setting a course to beat the turnout from 2020.

In Randall County, there were 5,421 votes cast, nearly 1000 more than the 4,584 cast on the first day of early voting in 2020 and more than double the 2,441 who voted early on the first day in 2020.

Meanwhile, in Potter County, the first day of early voting saw 2,963 votes cast, up from the 2,693 cast on the first day of early voting in 2020 . This year’s figures are nearly triple the 1,041 votes cast on the first day of early voting in 2022.

Combining both Potter and Randall, in-person turnout was up by more than 15%.

Though in-person turnout is up, the number of received mail-in ballots tells a different story.

In Potter County, the number of mail-in ballots received so far is up significantly, with the county reporting having received 877 compared to the 41 received at this point in 2020. While this number is up, the county has only received 1,423 requests for mail-in ballots, compared to the 3,736 cast in 2020. With the deadline to request a mail-in ballot looming, it appears there will be far fewer mail-in ballots cast in Potter this year when compared to 2020.

A similar story is told by Randall County’s figures. At this point in 2020, 2,851 mail-in ballots had been received, while only 1,555 have been received so far this year. In fact, the number of mail-in ballots received as of the first day of early voting in 2020 was higher than the number of mail-in ballots requested this year, which is currently at 2,515.

Still, even when accounting for the slower volume of mail-in ballots, the overall number of votes cast so far between the two counties is slightly up, with 10,816 cast so far compared to the 10,169 from this point in 2020. If in-person turnout remains strong, we should be on track to beat 2020’s numbers.

Early voting ends November 1st. Election Day is November 5th. Find your polling place at this link and check out our voter guide at this link.