Archive for Monday, August 11, 2008
Primary vote coming up
Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday
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On the 'Net
Voters can find voter registration forms, sample ballots and information about their precinct and polling place on the clerk's section of the county Web site, www.co.routt.co.us. Call 870-5556 or 870-5558 for more information.
Polling locations
1: Moon Hill School House, 50710 County Road 129, Clark
2, 5: Hayden Town Hall, 178 W. Jefferson Ave., Hayden
3, 4: Steamboat Springs Community Center, 1605 Lincoln Ave. west of down town
6, 7: Steamboat Christian Center, 821 Dougherty Road
8, 9: Oak Creek Town Hall, 129 Nancy Crawford Blvd., Oak Creek
10: Yampa Town Hall, 56 Lincoln Ave., Yampa
11, 12: Centennial Hall, 124 10th St., Steamboat Springs
13, 14: Routt County Courthouse Annex, 136 Sixth St., Steamboat
15, 16: Yampa Valley Medical Center, 1024 Central Park Drive, Steamboat
17, 18: Mountain Resorts, 2150 Resort Drive, Steamboat
Steamboat Springs — Primary voting is Tuesday, and election officials aren't expecting droves at the polls.
Early voting has been slow, Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland said Friday. That day was shaping up to be the busiest yet; 17 people had punched ballots by about 2 p.m.
"Generally, in November, we would have voted several hundred by now," Weinland said.
Only one ticket will be decided Tuesday. Republicans Dan Korkowski of Grand Lake and Randy Baumgardner of Hot Sulphur Springs are campaigning for the chance to face local Democrat Todd Hagenbuch for a seat representing state House District 57, which includes Routt, Grand, Moffat, Garfield, Rio Blanco and Jackson counties. That seat will be vacated by state Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, who is term-limited and running for the state Senate against Steamboat Springs Democrat Ken Brenner.
Low primary turnout is normal, Weinland said. The polls were busier in 2006, however, because of the contentious contest for Routt County Sheriff, she said.
"That increases local interest, when there's a race," she said.
The Nov. 4 election will feature a historic presidential race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. The ballot also will include several third-party candidates, numerous local and regional races, in addition to many statewide ballot initiatives.
Voter registrations are increasing, Weinland said. About 16,000 people are registered to vote in Routt County. Those who want to vote in November must register by Oct. 6.
"We anticipate that September will be huge," she said. "We're planning on it going up for the vote."
The county plans to encourage people to vote early at polls or by mailing in ballots. Early voting will run Oct. 20 to 31. Locations will be open in Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Oak Creek, Weinland said.
"We're trying to get people accustomed to the idea that Election Day is the last day to vote," she said.
Weinland noted that the Motor Vehicle office is closed today and Tuesday because of construction and the election. The Clerk and Recorder's Office will be open only for election-related business this afternoon and Tuesday.
- To reach Blythe Terrell, call 871-4234
or e-mail bterrell@steamboatpilot.com
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