New Philadelphia, Ohio - Tuscarawas County election officials are expecting a big turnout today at the polls as voters cast their ballots for the 2018 Midterm Election.

Tuscarawas County Board of Elections Deputy Director Sarah Kneuss says the board is anticipating a total turnout of between 70 and 75 percent of eligible voters, more than triple the turnout during the May Primary when ballots were cast by only about 12,000 of the county’s nearly 59,000 registered voters. 

Kneuss says about 19 percent of registered voters took advantage of the early voting option for the current election, casting their ballots between October 10th and November 5th. Another 50 to 55 percent are expected to vote at the polls today. Polls opened this morning at 6:30 and close tonight at 7:30 p.m. 

Voters planning to cast their ballot today are reminded to bring a valid form of identification with them to the polls. Accepted forms of identification include state-issued photo ids, military ids, utility bills or government documents showing the name and address of the voter. 

Kneuss said anyone who has not yet returned their mail-in absentee ballot has until the polls close this evening to hand-deliver their ballot to the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections office at 125 E. High Ave. NW in downtown New Philadelphia.

Voters can check their registration status, look up their polling location, and download a sample ballot from the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections website, tuscarawas.ohioboe.com. The board also has a General Information Line that can be reached by calling 330-343-8819.

For live election results, tune into Tusco TV on Channel 1021 beginning at 8:30 p.m. or watch online at tusco.tv/watch.