Red letter dates approaching for coming elections, says Sanpete Country Clerk
Robert Stevens
Managing editor
10-6-2016
Some important dates to remember are approaching if you intend to participate in the upcoming election, says Sanpete County Clerk Sandy Niell.
The first important upcoming election-related date is next Tuesday Oct. 11, the final day to register through the mail.
On Oct. 18, all ballots in Sanpete County (roughly 11,000) will be mailed out, Neill says. Most voters are expected to mark their ballots at home and mail them back, or drop them in one of the drive-up ballot boxes, located outside the county courthouse and at the Mt. Pleasant, Ephraim and Gunnison city halls.
From Oct. 25-Nov. 8, registered voters may vote in person at the Sanpete County Clerk’s Office (160 N. Main St., Room 202, Manti) during business hours (Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. The office is losed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). She suggests mailing it several days earlier so it is sure to be included in the election-night count.
Picture identification will be required.
The last day to register to vote in person or online at vote.utah.gov is Nov. 1.
Provisional ballots will be available from Nov. 2 until Nov. 8. These are for people who have not yet registered to vote as a Sanpete resident. A driver’s license or other government-issued ID, as well as proof of Sanpete residency, will be required to receive a provisional ballot.
You can request a provisional ballot in person at the clerk’s office or by calling the office at 835-2131.
“If someone was registered to vote in Salt Lake, we can’t have them double voting, so we have to verify that as part of the provisional ballot process,” Neill said. “It takes extra time, but we want every vote to count.”
Provisional ballots also end up costing the county more money. When mailed at bulk postal rates, Neill says each ballot costs the county 16 cents to mail. But ballots mailed one by one, such as provisionals, cost the county 67 cents each.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7. Neill says to ask the post office to hand stamp the ballot if you bring it in directly on Nov. 7, an
Nov. 8 is election day. Hand-delivered ballots will be accepted at the clerk’s office. The office and drop boxes will close at 8 p.m.
Ballots placed in voting drop boxes on Nov. 8 may not be included in the election night count, but, if not, will be counted prior to the official election canvas on Nov. 15.
Neill says she wants to emphasize that you must sign your ballot envelope and no one can sign but the registered voter, since the signature is verified as part of the counting process.
Neill suggests voters check their voter registration details on vote.utah.gov to verify accuracy of addresses or other information. According to Neill, making sure you have your correct address on file and registering to vote as early saves the county save time and money.
