Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — With the general election quickly approaching, Routt County Clerk Kay Weinland is encouraging voters to update their records.

"I would ask that everyone do their part to ensure their vote will count on Election Day," Weinland said.

All voters have the responsibility of making sure their records are up to date, she said.

Voters whose addresses and other information are outdated might have long waits on Election Day and might miss their chance to vote, Weinland said. For instance, a person could show up to the polling location for the wrong precinct if he or she recently moved without updating his or her records, and then would have to update the records and go to another polling location. If there are long lines, polls may close before the person can vote.

"It takes so much less time if they do it now," Weinland said. "It's much more efficient, it helps us be efficient with the process. It's just good planning to get it done ahead of time."

The best way of being sure records are up to date is to call the county clerk and recorder's office, or double check the voter information cards mailed to residents.

The county mailed the cards to all active registered voters to remind voters of the November election and show the voters the addresses and other information the county has on file. If that information needs to be changed, the voter should mail the card back with the correct information or call the county, Weinland said. The cards also give voters the opportunity to apply for an absentee ballot.

"It's one little postcard that is multipurpose," Weinland said.

Voters who think they are registered but did not receive a postcard should get in touch with the county clerk and recorder's office. A lot of the cards were returned to the county, Weinland said, which means a number of voters should double check their records.

"We don't have the time to notify all of those people," she said. "It's their responsibility to get back in touch with us."

-- To reach Susan Bacon, call 871-4203

or e-mail sbacon@steamboatpilot.com