More than 19,700 Penn State alumni have cast ballots in the election for three seats open on the university's Board of Trustees.
An unprecedented 86 candidates are running for the seats. It's the first election since the board ousted the late Joe Paterno as head football coach in November in the aftermath of child sexual abuse charges against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
Paterno's departure after 46 seasons angered some former players, alumni and particularly alumni watchdog groups who see the election as a vehicle for change.
Ballots were first distributed April 10, and voting lasts until May 3. The trustees office said in an e-mail to candidates Thursday that while turnout levels were not unusual, it was still an example of the heightened interest this year.
