12/07/11 The Marshall County Election Board spent considerable time on Tuesday morning reviewing the current polling sites and taking into account any changes that may have to be made during the upcoming presidential election.
Part of the process was to review data on the percentages of voters who exercised their right to vote in each precinct in 2008. During that year, the turnout was 63 percent.
Board members Steve Harper, Julie Fox and Roger Wise could be seeking new or additional locations in LaPaz, Plymouth and Culver.
According to Harper, they need to confirm the locations prior to January 11, 2012. That is the first day for declarations of candidacy for mayor political party primary nominations (or as Republican Party precinct committeeman, or state convention delegate at the Primary) may be filed. Additionally, it marks the first day a major party primary candidate for President, U.S. Senate, or Governor may file a petition of nomination with a county voter registration office for verification of petition signatures. Independent or minor party candidates may file a petition of nomination for the general election or file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate at the general election.
The county owns 81 voting machines. The board will be looking into any additional machines that they may need to lease in order to hold the fall election.
Harper indicated that training of judges at the polling sites will be critical. Budget constraints may limit the number of poll workers that can be hired.
Carol Anders Correspondent
