MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In-person absentee voting began on Tuesday the 22nd, and one week later, over 405,000 in-person absentee ballots have been reported.

“It’s been busy, we’ve been setting records on early voting here and around the country too,” said Dane County Clerk, Scott McDonell.

Across the United States, this year has been record-breaking for early voting. And, there is still another week until Election Day.

Early voting continues until Sunday, but McDonell says early voting hours differ by community so be sure to check when they are open before going to vote.

“For me, early voting is probably the best way to vote, you know, who knows what’s going to happen on Election Day, you could be sick, it could be pouring rain,” McDonnell explained. “You know that it’s received, you don’t have to worry about the mail being delayed, and then your witness is the clerk, so you know that part of it was handled correctly, so I think that’s part of why we’re seeing record numbers.”

McDonell also says lines on Election Day may be shorter due to the increase of people voting early, and lines are already getting shorter after the first few days.

Jade Braxton in Fitchburg voted Tuesday and said it only took her five to ten minutes to register and vote.

“This was my first time early voting, I always vote the day of, I’m doing this forever and ever now, this is great,” explained Braxton.

McDonell encourages everyone to have a plan to vote. He says that on Election Day, a lot can happen which could hinder your opportunity to vote on Election Day.

“This is an election that you’re vote is definitely going to matter, I know some people don’t think it’s going to matter, well you’re in a swing state, so it’s going to matter,” explained McDonnel.

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