Early voting turnout strong with one week before Election Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Just one week left to go before Election Day and voters are motivated to make their voices heard on a number of issues. 

Voters lined up to vote early in Franklin County said the long lines they encountered are not off-putting, but actually inspiring.    

“This is definitely one of the longest lines I have ever seen,” voter Brittany Morgan said.   

“I'm really glad there's a long line, and I'm really happy it's crowded. I would encourage anyone else to come try it,” long-time voter Leigh Cox said. “It's not that bad. The line moves fast.”    

“It filled me with a sense of hope that people are getting involved,” voter Victor Fielding said.    

Fielding has been voting for 40 years and he agreed with third-time voter Morgan that the line was shocking. Morgan said she almost did not come to vote, but she was getting a little extra push.    

“My mom and my grandma have just been like, ‘You need to vote. You need to vote,’ and at first, I was scared to,” she said. “Sometimes you just feel the pressure.”  

Morgan said even standing in the long line was well worth it to make her voice heard and be a part of history.    

“You see this parking lot, this crowd, this traffic,” she said. “If they can do it, I can do it. it needs to happen.”    

And despite the enthusiasm to vote, some said they are bracing for results next week.    

“I feel nervous. I want to feel hopeful. It's pretty difficult right now,” Cox said. 

“I have two kids and you worry about their future,” Fielding said. “Everyone’s been on edge, and I think we’ll be on edge for a little bit longer.”    

“This is a huge year,” Morgan said. “A lot could change with just one vote.”    

So, how soon will Ohioans know the results? Secretary of State Frank LaRose said by the end of election night, most Ohio races will be settled.    

“Ohio does it right and I think Ohioans know that,” he said. “They know that it's a process that's run in a bipartisan way.”  

Voter turnout has been high across the state. More than 1.8 million Ohioans have voted early in person or via absentee ballot already and LaRose said every Ohioan should know that every single vote is accounted for.    

“When you see results coming in at 8, 8:15, 8:30 on election night, those are all absentee votes and early votes because intuitively they're already at the board of elections,” he said. 

Early voting will continue all week long and over the weekend. Polls are closed on Monday but will re-open Tuesday morning for Election Day.