WOOD COUNTY, Ohio —
The polls were packed in Wood County Tuesday morning as early voting kicked off in Ohio.
"We've had steady lines through the morning," Terry Burton, director of the Wood County Board of Elections said.
Burton said the first-day crowds typically drop off in the following weeks and pick back up closer to Election Day.
Those impending crowds are why Wood County resident Debbie Dalke encourages early voting.
She said it gives voters more time and space to cast their ballots.
"If you vote early, you don't have quite a long wait," Dalke said. "If you've got children to take care of, or if you're in a cast because you broke your leg, it would be a real benefit to vote early."
Dalke said she's more motivated to vote early because of what's actually on the ballot, though.
"I'm very passionate about many of the candidates, but a real big game changer for us here in Ohio is Issue 1."
Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment that would change how political districts are drawn in Ohio.
Meanwhile, first-time early voter Sandra Clark said she felt compelled to vote as soon as possible because others may not have the opportunity to vote at all.
"With the hurricane and everything, these people – they're scared about their vote," Clark said. "Why am I sitting on my sofa and not voting? Get it done."