The number of requests for mail-in ballots has already surpassed the total voter turnout for the 2016 primary election as Box Butte County’s citizens opt for early voting.
Box Butte County Clerk Judy Messersmith said, as of Tuesday, her office has processed more than 2,650 applications for mail-in ballots. The 2016 primary election saw a total voter turnout of 2,563, between early voting and in-person voting.
“We weren’t prepared for this,” Messersmith said. “The state’s never let us be a mail-in county, and then we suddenly became a mail-in county. We’re getting there.”
Messersmith reminds people that the deadline to register to vote is 6 p.m. on May 1. She said voter registration forms may be submitted by the newly-installed dropbox at the courthouse, located on the south side of the building. The voter registration card must have an original signature, Messersmith noted, which is why it can only be submitted through the dropbox.
Earlier this month, the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office sent applications for citizens to request mail-in ballots. People who did not receive an application by mail are encouraged to visit the Secretary of State’s website, sos.nebraska.gov to request the ballot. Once the form is completed, it can be mailed to the Box Butte County Clerk at PO Box 678, Alliance, NE, faxed to 308-762-2867 or emailed to Messersmith at boxbutteclerk@yahoo.com. The deadline to receive an application for early voting is May 1.
“If we don’t receive the application by 6 p.m. on May 1, then we can’t mail them out, and at that point, that person will have to go to the polling place on May 12.
People who choose to vote in person for the May 12 primary election will notice a change in the process as well, Messersmith said, as all precincts will vote at the Box Butte County Courthouse, located at 515 Box Butte Avenue in Alliance. The change came as a result of concerns over limiting the spread of COVID-19.
“All of the precincts will be voting on the first floor of the courthouse on election day,” said Messersmith. “There was a lack of poll workers, a lack of precinct space and the safety of the voters and the staff was a concern. It will still be precinct specific; however, the Secretary of State has provided us with blue masking tape, 2,000 ink pens, and we will have marks on the sidewalk and in the lobby to help keep people six feet apart.
“We’ll also have some booths six feet apart,” said Messersmith. “Once people deposit their ballot, we will have them exit the back door, and that should keep the lines safe. It will run like it always does, but it will just be in one spot.”
Messersmith said she and her staff have been working diligently to ensure that the election runs smoothly.
“This has just been an unbelievable election,” Messersmith said. “All counties got new election equipment that we are not familiar with. We have renovations (at the courthouse) that are taking longer, and then with the COVID, it is really impacting our office. But, we sure are getting the voters.”