State: More than 49,000 Ohioans have voted early

COLUMBUS (AP) — The state’s elections chief says more than 49,000 Ohioans have cast absentee ballots for the fall election after early voting began last week.

Ohioans can vote absentee by mail or in person ahead of Election Day. Voters will pick the next governor along with other statewide officeholders Nov. 4.

Secretary of State Jon Husted says an informal survey of Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections found that less than 16,000 residents had voted in person as of last Friday. More than 33,000 ballots were cast by mail last week.

Many who plan to vote early have yet to cast their absentee ballot. Husted says he’s received close to 741,000 absentee ballot requests.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is noon Nov. 1.