Election Day is 15 short days away, and Nevada’s capital city is seeing good turnout for early voting.
Carson City voters have a wide variety of reasons for heading to the polls. Some say they want to get it out of the way, while others are calling these midterms do-or-die.
“Oh my god, particularly this year, the whole future of the country is about this election,” says Dr. Kevin Marie Laxalt.
“Well, I figure if we vote early, there's no way they can mess up on election day,” says Fred Steinle.
“I like to vote, and I prefer just voting early. Then it's done,” Kathie Stevenson says, “and I don't have to worry about if I've misplaced my sample ballot."
Turnout shows that voters are coming out in numbers similar to previous midterms. The state capital has seen over 1,000 people vote in-person over the first two days.
“Usually the second day of early voting in the subsequent two weeks is probably about 500 [voters], and now maybe we'll get 800 today,” Scott Hoen, Carson City Clerk-Recorder, said on Monday. “So turnout's been pretty good so far for Carson.”
Hoen says they've collected over 375 ballots at their drop-off locations. If you're making your voice heard by mail, Carson City is asking you not to wait.
“If there's any kind of problem with identification, then at least we can get in touch with you so you can fix it quick to make sure that's counted,” Hoen says. “Don't wait till the last day to mail it. Yeah, you may get a postmark, but then we still may have a signature problem before we get the ballot counted."
The right to vote is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Whether you go to the polls or send in your ballot, and whether you do it early or on election day, Carson City voters stress the importance of exercising that right.
"I taught high school social studies here in Carson, and I just think participating is very important,” Steinle says.
"There's so many things wrong in this world. You can look at France and everything. You need to vote,” Stevenson adds.
Early voting is available in the capital city at the Carson City Community Center at 851 East William Street. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exception is Thursday, October 29, when hours shift to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Drop-offs are available at the following locations:
Carson Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive
Carson City City Hall, 201 North Carson Street
Carson City Community Center, 851 East William Street
Carson City Election Office, 855 East Musser Street
The Senior Center and City Hall drop-offs are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Community Center location is open the same times as listed above. You can drop off ballots at the Election Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Voting centers on Election Day are the same as listed above, with the addition of the Stewart Community Center at 465 Clear Creek. All locations will offer in-person voting and ballot drop-off.
