11/4/2008 1:42:00 AM
Yavapai could set new voter record today
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PRESCOTT - Yavapai County Recorder Ana Wayman-Trujillo is predicting a potential record voter turnout of 90 percent to 95 percent here for the general election today.
Yavapai has 118,923 registered voters, up six percent from the primary election just a few months ago.
The county's early voters already had returned approximately 48,000 ballots by mail on Monday afternoon. County elections officials mailed out about 62,000. People still can turn in these mail ballots at any polling place without waiting in line Tuesday.
Another 5,500 people voted early in person by Friday, county elections office spokesperson Stephanie Wiltcher-Sproul said. Some counties reported early-voting lines, causing Coconino to extend early voting into Saturday.
At least 45 percent of the county's registered voters already are finished voting, even more than the estimated national average of about one-third.
A 90-percent turnout in Yavapai County would be a modern-day record. The best percentage turnout since 1976 was an 88-percent turnout in 2004, the last presidential general.
Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer is forecasting an 80-percent turnout statewide. The last time that happened was 1980.
Yavapai County historically has registered amongst the highest voter turnouts of any county in Arizona, including the best turnout in the last two general elections.
In Yavapai County, 46 percent of the registered voters are Republicans, 26 percent are Democrats and most of the rest are Independents.
Statewide, the numbers are closer with 34 percent of the registered voters being Democrats compared to 37 percent for Republicans. And Democrats have made slight gains since the last general election.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today in Arizona.
Voters must bring a driver's license with a current address, or two other forms of ID. For acceptable forms of ID, go to the county website at co.yavapai.az.us and click on elections, then click on "identification at the polls." People also can call 771-3248.
The county website also contains a list of all the precinct voting sites. People can type in their home address to find their precinct address.
Contested general races for Yavapai County voters include the U.S. president, U.S. representative, three Arizona Corporation Commission seats, District 1 county supervisor and school boards.
Arizona voters face eight ballot propositions relating to everything from gay marriage to home warranties.
Yavapai County residents also will vote on a jail tax, and those in the Prescott region will decide whether schools can create a vocational training system.
To keep track of how they plan to vote on everything, voters can bring marked sample ballots into the voting booths.
Anyone who suspects voter fraud can call the county elections office, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona at 800-800-2570, or the U.S. Civil Rights Division at 800-253-3931.
Contact the reporter at jdodder@prescottaz.com
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Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Praying for CHANGE and COUNTRY FIRST
Pray that "In God We Trust" works. No matter who wins this thing, we as a nation must make the changes. If we can stop hating each other long enough, maybe we can turn this mess around. Good luck.
Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Article comment by:
I'm afraid you are right
Ex-Republican: I fear you are right. Too many people voting for one side for all the wrong reasons. The right reason = your political philosophy and goals are the same as the candidate. The wrong reasons: Your friends are all voting for one person, you want to punish the person leaving office (like he cares), you always vote for one party no matter who they run, you automatically and without thought vote for the "other" party if the economy is bad on election day, "change" for change sake is good (if you have one broken leg and break the other, things have changed, but they sure haven't gotten better) and so on.
Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Ex Republican - Independent
I love my country but I fear my government. I think I will will be disappointed tuesday night.
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