A high volume of voters turned out during the first two days of early voting in Chautauqua County on Saturday and Sunday with wait times being as long as 70 minutes.

Election Commissioners Norman P. Green and Brian C. Abram announce that 23% of the number of expected voters the Nov. 3, 2020, election have already cast ballots.

“Our three early voting poll sites have been extremely busy. Early voting is an extension of Election Day. Votes cast at the early voting sites or at Nov. 3rd poll sites will be tabulated and reported at votechautauqua.com starting at 9 p.m. election night,” Green said.

Hours for the early voting at Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood, County Fairground in Dunkirk, and at the Board of Elections office in Mayville are noon to 8 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“Our absentee voting has slowed down since the start of early voting,” Abram said. “We are at 11,372 applications as of the morning.”

Today is the last day for voters to call 753-4580, email vote@co.chautauqua.ny.us, to apply for an absentee ballot at votechautauqua.com, or to postmark an absentee ballot application. Starting Wednesday, voters would need an application for an absentee ballot to be carried by an “agent” neighbor or friend to the Board of Elections office in Mayville.