Making voting convenient
Absentee voting begins today
By PETER BOLTZ
Express Staff Writer
Voters who know they won’t be in Blaine County on Election Day, Nov.
7, can arrange to vote absentee at the Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey during its
regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
According to Blaine County clerk Marsha Riemann, if voters meet the
conditions of absentee voting, they could vote in the 2000 general election as early as
today at the courthouse.
Those wishing to vote absentee through the mail need to meet the following
criteria:
that they are not going to be in the county to vote on Nov. 7;
that they are registered to vote in Blaine County;
that they fill out an application for an absentee ballot;
that they know their voting precinct number;
that they know how to use the absentee ballot;
that they sign the return envelope;
and that they are responsible for mailing their ballot back in time for it
to be collected by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
No one can vote absentee on Election Day.
According to Riemann, those voting absentee in person at the courthouse
will work with a clerk and drop their ballots in a ballot box. Those people need to go to
the second floor of the courthouse during its regular hours. The Recorder’s Office
will give them directions on where to go.
Riemann said that people who are not registered to vote can register with
the county up to election day.
People who intend to both register and vote on Election Day need to meet
the following criteria:
Show proof of residence in Blaine County. An Idaho driver’s license
with a current address is sufficient, but if someone does not have that, a utility bill
with the current address on it can be provided in addition to a driver’s license.
The person must be 18, a U.S. citizen and a resident of Blaine County for
at least 30 days.
A registration card must be filled out and approved, then the
person’s name must be added to the poll book by a clerk.
Riemann said election day registration is available at precinct voting
locations.
Those wishing to register before election day should do so during the
courthouse’s regular office hours. They need to meet the same conditions as those
registering on election day.
Riemann asked people who are housebound to call 788-5510. She said
accommodations can be made for a voting deputy to go to peoples’ homes.
Deputies from Riemann’s office will also be visiting people in
nursing homes and hospitals on Election Day.
