Two new polling locations and absentee voting in next election
By Carrie Bird
Clearwater County has changed the polling locations this year for Orofino Precincts #1 and #3.
Orofino Precinct #1
Orofino Precinct #1, formerly at the Clearwater County Courthouse, will now be at the ManiYAC Center in the lower parking lot of Orofino High school, 300 Dunlap Road, Orofino. The change at this precinct was made to make the voting experience more comfortable and convenient, and to provide more parking spaces for the voters.
Postcards were sent out to the voters in Orofino Precinct #1 to advise them of this change.
Orofino Precinct #3
Orofino Precinct #3, formerly at the Opportunities Unlimited Building, will now be at Clearwater County Coon Building, Extension Office, 2200 Michigan Avenue, Orofino. This change was made to utilize the county’s own building located in this precinct.
Because the Orofino Precinct #3 building locations are in close proximity to each other, we opted to notify the voters by publication and the use of signs to indicate where the voting will be taking place.
We ask that voters at these precincts please take notice of their new locations.
Absentee voting
Clearwater County has many precincts where the polling locations are several miles from their work or home. Absentee voting is an alternative way to vote for those voters who have difficulty making it to the polls. In this instance, it would make it easier for the voter to vote by requesting an absentee ballot.
Voting Absentee is an easier way for those who have limited mobility to vote. It is also helpful to those who are in the military or attending school out of the area.
Voters can request an absentee ballot by completing the form beside this article and returning it to the Elections Office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 21. After May 21, a person must appear in person to request a ballot and then vote the ballot at the Absentee Precinct in the Election Office at the Clearwater County Courthouse. After May 21, absentee ballots cannot be taken home.
The deadline to vote an absentee ballot in person is the day before the primary and general elections. The Clerk’s office business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Clerk’s office is usually closed on Memorial Day, but since this year Memorial Day is the eve of the May 27 primary, the office will be open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. to assist with absentee voting.
We will be mailing out requested absentee ballots the fourth or fifth week of April. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s office by 8 p.m. election night on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. Absentee ballots cannot be turned in at voting precincts and will not be counted if they are.
If you are applying for an Absentee ballot, please make sure you use your full legal name, and you are also required to list your physical address and mailing address, if applicable. When signing up for an Absentee ballot in the primary election, if you mark the box to receive a ballot for the general election, we will send a ballot out from that request.
Clearwater County currently has three mail out precincts. If you live in Greer, Headquarters or Grangemont precincts and are currently a registered voter, you will be receiving your ballot by mail. Those ballots will be mailed on May 5 or shortly thereafter and must also be returned by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2008, to the Clerk’s office.
If you are not currently registered, please register on or before May 2, 2008. This is the last day to pre-register. If you do not register by May 2, then you can register at the polls on Election Day.
If you are in a mail out precinct, then you may register and vote at the Clearwater County Courthouse. When registering on Election Day, please make sure you have current picture identification and proof of your current resident street address, such as a copy of your power bill or phone bill.
Should you have any further questions, please contact the Clearwater County Clerk, Elections Department at 476-5615.
An absentee ballot request form was printed in this week's Clearwater Tribune. It can be cut out, filled out, and mailed to the courthouse.