Early voting starts today

Early voting starts today in Carson City with about two weeks to go before Election Day.

Carson City voters who want to cast an early ballot can vote at the County Clerk's Office, 885 E. Musser St., Suite 1025. Polls are open from 10-4 p.m. today.

The early voting location will be open from 8-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10-4 p.m. next Saturday. The last day of early voting is Friday, Oct. 29. Polls are closed on Sundays.

Registered voters should have received their sample ballots by now, which includes voting locations for the general election and a list of candidates and ballot questions.

Voter turnout is expected to outpace the 2006 midterm election in Carson City and mirror the 90.4 percent turnout in the 2008 election, said Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover.

"We're anticipating about a 90 percent turnout and we geared up for that, very similar to what it was two years ago for the presidential year," Glover said.

In most midterm elections, including 2006, Glover said Carson City usually has about a 70 percent turnout of registered voters. But this year, "Because of the U.S. Senate race we think we're going to have a much larger turnout."

Glover said about half of the 24,737 registered voters are expected to cast an early ballot, which should alleviate the crowds on Nov. 2.

Absentee ballots also are on the rise this year with 1,623 requested so far, outpacing the 1,193 filed in 2006.

Of Carson City's 24,737 registered voters, 11,195 are Republicans and 8,699 are Democrats.

There are 3,367 non-partisan voters and 1,171 registered with the Independent American Party and about 300 registered in other parties.

Glover said about two-thirds of Carson City's voting population is registered to vote.