In anticipation of a record turnout for the upcoming election, Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen has opened up early voting and said recently that there are more opportunities than ever to cast a vote early and avoid the expected crush on Nov. 4.
Early voting, technically referred to as "in-person absentee voting," began Oct. 6, a week ahead of schedule. Voters interested in casting their ballot now can do so in the south building of the Salt Lake County Government complex, Room S1100, 2100 S. State. For those who have not yet registered, you can still register in-person, at the same location, until Oct. 20. Swensen said voters may also register and vote early at the same time.
Beginning Oct. 21, 15 early-voting satellite locations will open throughout the Salt Lake valley. Swensen said the satellites are open to any voter, regardless of his or her home precinct.
One caveat at these outboard locations is that voters must have been registered at least 30 days prior to the election date (Oct. 4) to cast a ballot. If you haven't registered, you must go to the clerk's office for early voting.
Satellite polling locations are open weekdays, noon to 7 p.m. through Oct. 30, with reduced hours on Halloween, Oct. 31, from noon to 5 p.m. Early voting at the clerk's office extends through Nov. 1.
Voters interested in submitting an absentee ballot via mail must apply in-person at the clerk's office no later than Oct. 31. Absentee ballot requests that were received before Oct. 6 have already been sent out.
Swensen said the county will be opening a record 437 polling locations, up from 373 in the 2004 general election. She also speculated that this year's turnout could exceed the rate posted at the 1992 election that saw over 84 percent of active registered voters cast a ballot.
Davis County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said in-person absentee voting began in his office last week. He also said he expects interest and activity will increase as the election nears. Davis County will open six satellite polling locations on Oct. 21 which will be open for early voting options through Oct. 31.
Utah County Clerk/Auditor Bryan Thompson said that Utah County does not offer the in-person absentee option, but will open the doors on their five satellite polling locations on Oct. 21 and operate through Oct. 31. Thompson said a typographical error has delayed the posting of absentee ballots and estimates they'll be ready to send some time this week. He also noted Utah County has 70,000 new registered voters and estimates the total registered voter count there to be a record 250,000.
E-mail: araymond@desnews.com