Republicans encouraged by strong early voting turnout in red areas of Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — Early voting in Republican-leaning areas is up in Minnesota.
Republicans historically have avoided voting early, instead waiting to cast their ballots on election day.
Donald Trump won Sherburne County by more than 30% in 2020. On Monday morning, there were long lines at the Sherburn County Government Center in Elk River, with wait times of up to 45 minutes.
People there, who have waited all their lives until election day to vote, are giving early voting a shot.
"I feel that it's more controlled and there haven't been any questions because everyone is on guard and they are watching it very, very closely," said Barb Lammers, early voter.
Lammers feels her vote is safe.
While Democrats championed early voting for years, that was not the case for Republicans. Many, including former President Donald Trump have discouraged it. That's not the case this year.
"This election cycle the Minnesota GOP all the way up to President Trump have been focused on and pushing early voting for the GOP and it does seem to be having an effect," said Amy Koch, Republican analyst.
Koch says its a measure of Republican voters enthusiasm.
"The number I am seeing from Minnesota across the country are showing a big turnout in early GOP voting, which I think is going to have an impact," said Koch.
Republican voters in Sherburne County had a number of reasons for voting early including getting sick, having child care issues and concern for a major weather event.
And it's not just for the Presidential election. The Minnesota GOP is hoping to gain control of the Minnesota House and put an end to the DFL trifecta. Republican House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth has been pushing early GOP voting for months.
"Republican voters are doing everything they can to get to the polls early and bank their votes they don't want anything to stand in their way for having their voice heard," said Demuth.
