The number of requests for mail-in ballots has already surpassed the total voter turnout for the 2018 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 2,000 applications for mail-in ballots.
“I believe there were a total of 1,984 people who voted either in person or early in May 2018,” said Messersmith. “We have surpassed that, and we’ve got a ways to go.”
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.
The early voting ballots can be sent to the Box Butte County Clerk by mail or they may be placed in the newly-installed ballot dropbox at the courthouse, located on the south side of the building.
“The Secretary of State footed the bill for the mailing, as they did for our ballot box,” said Messersmith. “They provided those to the counties because of COVID-19.”
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.”