MT. VERNON – Early voting for the Nov. 5 General Election is underway in Illinois.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard is encouraging voters in his county to vote early so they won’t become a victim of voter fraud.

Sheriff Bullard says in a video posted to the sheriff’s office Facebook page that over the past couple of elections there have been a few voters that have encountered a particular form of voter fraud.

The sheriff says when they showed up at their polling place to vote, they were told they couldn’t vote because they had already cast their vote. Voters told the sheriff they believed their votes had been stolen.

The sheriff says it’s very important that we have a fair election and these are just some simple ways he believes we can maintain the integrity of your vote. He urges you to go vote early so that your vote can be counted and it can be legitimate.