Early voting closes Friday

Only three more days remain for early voting prior to the general election, which is Tuesday.

Thousands of Nevadans including voters in Churchill County have cast ballots for federal, statewide and local candidates. More than 2,700 Churchill County residents have either voted early or sent in absentee ballots. As of Monday, 2,306 residents voted early, while 237 sent in absentee ballots.

Republicans hold a 3 to 1 lead over Democrats in early voting, a trend seen across most Nevada counties. According to the daily count sheet, 1,598 Republicans have voted compared 534 Democrats. Other parties have accounted for more than 350 votes. Absentee ballots also report the same ratio of Republican versus Democrat voters.

Erin Montalvo, deputy clerk with the Churchill County Clerk’s office, said Saturday’s turnout was lower than expected.

“We expected it to be a little busier Saturday, but I think the windy weather kept people home,” she said. “We almost always have an increase on the last day and it is usually one of the busiest days.”

Hours for early voting for the next three days including Nevada Day, a state holiday on Friday, are 8 am-6 p.m. at the Churchill County Administration’s commission chambers.

“We will be here all day Friday for early voting even though the other county offices will be closed,”Montalvo said.

Voting for the general election takes place Tuesday at the Fallon Convention Center from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

According to Montalvo, Churchill County has 12,240 registered voters. Republicans lead that total with 6,895 compared to the Democrats with 2,651. Independents come in with 1,857 voters.