OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Early in-person voting in Douglas County is drawing lines never before seen by election officials.

The Douglas County election commissioner predicted a slightly lower voter turnout this year than the last presidential election, but after seeing today’s line, he told 6 News he wouldn’t be surprised if voters beat his prediction and surpassed 2020 turnout.

Many knew there was going to be a long line… some bringing coffee or a book.

Reginald Brown brought a chair.

“Today we will have to wait a long time, but it will be worth it as long as I can get my vote.” Brown said.

There are about 363,000 registered voters in Douglas County. This is the only place they can go to vote early in person.

Elizabeth Carollo hoped people would sleep in and game day for Husker football fans would work in their favor.

“We went back a couple of times during lunch, after work, and it was quite long. We thought on Saturday morning, who would get up on Saturday morning and vote. And they are here,” Carollo said.

About 500 people form this line that extends to the nearby neighborhood.

Carollo said he arrived at 8 a.m. when the office opened and it took him about an hour and a half to cast his vote.

“Although the line is very long, it goes quite fast.” Carollo said.

Still, if people didn’t show up when the doors opened, Election Commissioner Brian Kruse estimated the wait would be three hours Saturday.

Marie Ohlinger didn’t have to wait like everyone else. They came to her.

That’s because it’s a hundred years old.

“This is a bigger, more important election than we’ve ever had in the United States.” Ohlinger said.

Even if they hadn’t helped her, she says she would have sat in line.

If you plan to vote on Election Day, polls in Douglas County open at 8 am and close at 8 pm.

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