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Your source for updates and analysis of the 2020 elections. WBOI and NPR work hard each day to bring you facts you can rely on and the context behind the headlines.Tune to 89.1 or stream WBOI on election night beginning at 7 p.m for in-depth coverage as results come in from national elections.

Northeast Indiana Sees Increase in Voter Turnout From 2016

PETER DOMINOWSKI
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WBOI
Allen County residents wait in line outside of The Chapel to vote Tuesday morning, November 3, 2020.

Voter turnout in Northeast Indiana increased in nearly every county that provided voter turnout data from the 2016 general election.

 

In Wabash and Noble counties, turnout increased by about 10 percent this election. Wells County increased from 70% in 2016, to 75% this year.

 

 

Credit ELLA ABBOTT / WBOI
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WBOI

Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, says the whole state saw an increase in early voting.

 

“We had over 100,000 people vote early, which is incredible early turnout for us, larger than we’ve ever had before.”

 

Elsewhere in the state, Downs says election officials were seeing the same thing on election day.

 

“I had some conversations with people around the state, as well, and what I heard from them was pretty much the same thing. Really high early voting and day-of turnout, not as heavy as we’re used to seeing. But that’s because a lot of those people voted early, and I think that’s what we’re seeing here.”

 

 

Credit ELLA ABBOTT / WBOI
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WBOI

 

In Allen County, however, the number of registered voters fell by over 8,000 and voter turnout dropped nearly two percent. But in every county, turnout was above 50%.

 

Allen County had over 140,000 votes this election, the most in the counties reported. Adams County had the least votes cast, at 14,384, but also had the third highest turnout, only behind Wells and Whitley by about 2%.

 

 

Credit ELLA ABBOTT / WBOI
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WBOI

Ella Abbott is a multimedia reporter for 89.1 WBOI. She is a strong believer in the ways audio storytelling can engage an audience and create a sensory experience.
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