November 27, 2024
Lake County Sets Records in 2024 General Election, Achieves Historic Voter Turnout
By Cindy Peterson
Lake County Sets Records in 2024 General Election, Achieves Historic Voter Turnout
The 2024 General Election in Lake County has set new records, with an outstanding voter turnout of 89.74% of eligible voters participating — the highest in history even amongst explosive population growth. This record-breaking turnout reflects the engagement and dedication of Lake County voters, as well as the hard work and meticulous planning of the dedicated team at the Supervisor of Elections office.
Voter Turnout in Lake County was the 4th highest in the state and for any county with more than 12,000 voters.
“We are thrilled by the incredible turnout, which is a testament to the civic spirit of Lake County’s residents,” said Alan Hays, Lake County Supervisor of Elections. “It is truly an honor to serve as the ‘Head Coach’ of such an outstanding team that made this election a resounding success.”
Record Turnout During Early Voting
The 2024 election saw more than 117,000 voters casting their ballots during the 13 days of early voting, another record for the county. On Election Day itself, over 69,000 voters turned out to their polling places, where they were greeted by a team of 850 dedicated election workers who ensured smooth operations and provided courteous service throughout the day.
“I want to personally thank the 850 election workers who manned our polling places and worked tirelessly during early voting,” said Supervisor Hays. “These hardworking individuals truly went above and beyond, and their commitment was key to the success of this election.”
Exceptional Support & Preparation
The success of the election was also due to the meticulous planning and preparation by the dedicated team at the Supervisor of Elections office. Teams responsible for Vote By Mail, election worker recruitment and training, election support, and voter services all worked in harmony to ensure a seamless process for every voter.
“Our team was prepared for the record turnout and executed their roles with excellence,” said Hays. “Thanks to their hard work behind the scenes, everything went smoothly on Election Day and throughout the early voting period.”
Above all, the Supervisor of Elections expressed deep gratitude to the voters of Lake County for their patience, understanding, and commitment to the democratic process. “Whether waiting in line or patiently waiting to place their ballot into the tabulation machines, the voters showed tremendous grace and civility,” said Hays. “Their engagement is what makes elections in Lake County truly special.”
A Model for Other Jurisdictions
With the record turnout and the efficient execution of election procedures, Lake County’s 2024 General Election serves as a model for other jurisdictions to emulate. The collaborative efforts of the elections office, election workers, and voters ensured the election ran smoothly from start to finish.
Hays stated, “The success of this election is a reflection of the entire community. Every aspect of this election is something Lake County can be proud of.”
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.