In-person voting hangs on, barely

It’s election day in Pierce County today and poll voting is gone – well, almost.

Voters can cast ballots from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. today at one of six voting centers. Election workers are at the centers to assist people with disabilities, anyone wanting to vote with a touch-screen machine or anyone else needing help voting.

Active-duty military personnel can complete same-day registration and vote at the centers.

County Auditor Julie Anderson estimates voter turnout for today’s vote-by-mail primary election will exceed 21 percent. Nearly 19 percent of registered voters had turned in ballots as of Monday, she said.

Anderson visited two of the six voting centers Monday.

“There are hardly any voters showing up,” Anderson said. “The people who are most likely to show up are former poll voters.”

The total cost to operate the voting centers for Monday and today is $27,500, she said. By law, the county was required to operate one voting center at the county auditor’s office.

“We wanted to have even distribution across the county,” Anderson said.

Voters also can turn in ballots at 24-hour collection spots with secure drop boxes located throughout most of the county. Gone are the 14 drive-up express booths where voters received a smile and a sticker for voting.

The stickers were sent out with voter’s pamphlets this year.

The county used to have to move and store the express booths between elections. Now it plans to surplus and sell most of the booths.

“What I hear voters tell me is they want government to be focused on the basics,” Anderson said.

The same number of voting centers will be operating in November’s general election and next year’s presidential election, which will draw a much heavier turnout.

“We’re gearing up for the 2012 presidential campaign,” Anderson said.

The Legislature decided in March to end poll voting in Washington. The measure shut down polls in Pierce County – the last holdout among the state’s 39 counties. Supporters said the move to an entirely vote-by-mail system will clarify state law and save money. Opponents said the change stripped Pierce County of its right to preserve in-person voting. Pierce County had 58 polling places.

Voters in this primary election are paring down fields for city council, school board and other races for the November general election, as well as deciding the fate of fire district levies.

Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647
steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/polibuzz

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