Record turnout for absentee ballots

Today was the last day to apply for an absentee ballot in alabama!

You're taking a live look at the madison county courthouse steps in downtown huntsville.

They're empty now - but they weren't earlier!

Take a look at this.

Earlier today - the line for voter services ran down those steps - around the block - and down the street!

The madison county probate judge says the county is seeing record turnout for absentee voting this year.

Thanks for joining us tonight.

I'm najahe sherman.

And i'm dan shaffer.

We want to get right to waay 31's will robinson-smith.

He was at the courthouse throughout the afternoon with voters.

He joins us live with how folks felt about the process - and why they wanted to vote absentee.

Will?

A long wait and cold winds didn't deter hundreds of folks from coming out today.

They say things like the pandemic and other personal circumstances led them to cast their ballots now.

The line wrapping around the madison county courthouse brought together all kinds of voters on thursday -- including folks like jherni fisher and alysia green -- two first-time voters.

Jherni fisher, first time voter and i'm very excited to take part in this election so my voice is heard and i can be part of the difference.

Across the state -- more than 316- thousand absentee ballot applications were requested as of thursday -- with more than 38-thousand coming from madison county.

More than 33-thousand people have returned their ballots so far.

That now includes a 20- plus year member of the huntsville fire department -- ginger white.

Ginger white, voted absentee well actually, i had forgotten that tuesday was voting day and i'm going to be out of town next week.

So, i had to jump on it today.

And so, thank goodness, i got to get out of work and come down here and vote.

Will robinson-smith and with today being the last day voters could submit an absentee ballot application, people were willing to wait in this long line...to make sure their voice is heard this election season.

Oscar trejo junior was one of the last people who got in line before the 4:30 cutoff.

He said it was more comforting for him to get his vote in sooner rather than later.

Oscar trejo jr., absentee voter i was pretty much advised by co-workers because they did it before, so i didn't want to be left behind and i didn't want to wait until the last minute.

And even though the wait lasted for an hour or more for some -- courthouse officials also took steps to make sure older voters and those with disabilities -- like andrea gaines -- didn't have to wait nearly as long.

Andrea gaines, absentee voter they got me my paperwork.

My son was accompanying me and they also got him.

And we were in there within about 15 minutes, so it wasn't bad at all.

And those who had to wait the full time said the process moved along without much issue and virtually everyone in line was wearing a mask.

Everyone we spoke with said they were glad they were able to take care of voting now instead of waiting until election day.

Reporting live in huntsville -- will robinson-smith -- waay 31 news.

If you got an absentee ballot - make sure to drop it off at your county's elections office or postmark it by november 2 to make sure it's counted on election