Nearly 1,500 Butler County voters had already cast ballots by early Tuesday evening as voting began for the Nov. 3 general election. According to unofficial turnout figures from the Butler County Board of Elections, 1,485 ballots had been cast as of 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, representing 0.60% of the county’s 248,787 eligible voters. The Board of Elections’ party-turnout figures showed 550 Republican voters, 530 Democrats, 403 unaffiliated voters and two Libertarians had cast ballots. Early in-person voting opened Tuesday morning at the Board of Elections office at 1802 Princeton Road in Hamilton and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.  Election officials are already preparing for heavier traffic as Election Day approaches. Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, northbound Hampshire Drive between State Route 129 and Princeton Road will be closed during early-voting hours because of expected high turnout.  Board of Elections Director Nicole Unzicker said the traffic plan was developed with the Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler County Engineer's Office, City of Hamilton, Ohio Department of Transportation and county commissioners.During the closure, motorists traveling either direction on State Route 129 are being directed to Exit 18 at Bypass 4 and then to Princeton Road. Hampshire Drive will remain open southbound for motorists leaving the Board of Elections and returning to State Route 129.  Early voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 23, with Saturday voting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 24th. Hours expand during the final week, including evening hours and weekend voting. The final day of early in-person voting is Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be no in-person voting Monday, Nov. 2.  Voters can also cast absentee ballots by mail. Applications must be received by 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received by the Board of Elections no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots may also be returned directly to the Board of Elections or its secure drop box by 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3, Election Day.
(Editor: AI-Assisted Copy)