Trending
ALPENA -- As the midterm election nears, election officials are amping up their efforts to educate voters on the voting process, important deadlines, while assuring them that the election process is secure, accurate and private.
During the primary election in August Alpena County rolled out new voting equipment and software, which Clerk Bonnie Friedrichs said helped to speed up the chore of tallying and updating vote totals. She said although things went smoothly, there were some minor hiccups and some questions from voters about how the new system worked.
When a person filled out their ballot during the last election they were required to use a Sharpie to fill in the circle next to the name of their desired candidate. Friedrichs said some people contacted her with concerns that the black ink had bled through the paper and questioned whether it would impact their vote being recorded.
Friedrichs said the new tabulators still recognize the ballots and the votes and the darker ink doesn't change the how the ballots are read, but the county is going to a more mild ink for the Nov. 6 election to ease any concerns.
"We used Sharpie because it is the recommended ink formula because it is always consistent, fast drying and gives a good mark," Friedrichs said. "We are switching to Sharpie's ultra fine ink because there can be some bleed through if a person holds the pen in one spot of too long, but if it does bleed through there is no issue and doesn't cause any false votes."
Friedrichs said it is also important the people be mindful of deadlines, especially ones to register to vote, or obtain an absentee ballot. She said the deadline to register to vote for the midterm election in November is Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. and absentee ballots are available until the Saturday before the election until 4 p.m. Emergency ballots are also available up until 4 p.m. on election day, if there is a serious emergency.
Friedrichs said voters should also be mindful when voting for a write-in candidate. She said a vote for someone who's name isn't on the ballot will only count if they had filed with the clerks office.
"You can't just write in someone's name who hasn't filed," she said. "If you do it won't count."
After the primary election voters were able to be tabulated and totaled at the clerks office rather quickly. Preliminary results were available before 10 p.m., when in the past it was often much later into the night before projected winners were known.
Friedrichs said that was sort of a test run and expects that things will go even smoother during the midterms. She also wanted to assure voters that the new system is top of the line and very secure and election workers are following new protocols and standards to ensure everyone gets a chance to vote and they remain private.
"There are a lot more security pieces that people don't see or know about," she said. "We have added many more security measures in place, but with that comes more moving parts that election workers are getting used to."
As is the norm, there is still a need for election workers. Friedrichs said a person who is interested in making a few extra bucks can contact their local clerk to see if more help is needed. She said once trained and certified, they will be able to work outside of their municipality.
"If your city or township doesn't need help, call another if your willing to drive a little bit," she Friedrichs said. "We will be having training in October, so people shouldn't wait too long."
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.