DeKALB – After months of phone calls, advertisements and polls, tens of thousands of DeKalb County residents are expected to cast their ballots today in what could be a record local turnout.

An extended early-voting period has resulted in 7,840 ballots cast – a 120 percent increase from early voting in the last presidential election, DeKalb County Clerk John Acardo said. With 14 percent of DeKalb County registered voters already accounted for, Acardo said he hopes to exceed the 74.4 percent – or 45,178 voters – who participated in the 2008 election.

“Based on historical precedent, we expect around 71 to 72 percent turnout,” Acardo said. “But I hope we do surpass that. Any election authority would love to see 100 percent turnout.”