Hamilton County voters are casting early ballots at more than double the pace of the 2022 midterm election, with the biggest jump among unaffiliated voters.

Board of Elections data shows early in-person voting during the first eight days is up 158% among Democrats, 106% among Republicans and 208% among unaffiliated voters compared to the same period in 2022, WLWT first reported on Oct. 19.

During the first four days of early voting, from Oct. 6 through Oct. 9, a total of 9,482 Hamilton County residents voted in person, compared with 3,616 during the same stretch in 2022, according to an earlier WLWT report. Democrats cast 56% of those early ballots, followed by unaffiliated voters at about 31% and Republicans at about 13%.

The races drawing voters to the polls are significant. Hamilton County Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland said in a Sept. 28 statement that voters will be choosing Ohio's next governor, attorney general and other statewide officials, along with Hamilton County judges, commissioners, state legislators, U.S. Congress members and Ohio Supreme Court justices. Local ballot issues are also on the slate.

Nicole Unzicker, director of the Butler County Board of Elections, told WLWT the regional trend is clear but cautioned against reading too much into early numbers. She said it is difficult to forecast final turnout based on the first two weeks of voting.

"I think that as more information gets out about early in-person voting, it seems to become a little bit more popular amongst the voters," Unzicker said.

Anderson Township, Mariemont and Terrace Park residents can vote early at Hamilton County's Early Vote Center, located at 4700 Smith Road in Norwood. The center opened Oct. 6 and remains open through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Deputy Director Raquel Burgos said Ohio law requires voters to bring an acceptable, unexpired photo ID. She urged voters to confirm their ID meets the requirements before heading to the polls.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters can check their assigned poll location on the Hamilton County Board of Elections website.