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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Early Voters Turn Out in Record Numbers

By Journal Staff Report

       Bernalillo County is reporting record turnout at early voting locations, including a record 16,000 voters on Tuesday. Here are some tips:
    n The least busy early voting sites are: CNM-South Valley, 5816 Isleta SW; Goff Plaza, 1720 Bridge SW, and the Downtown location, 620 Lomas NW.
    n The crowds lessen around 6 p.m. and stay that way until polls close at 8 p.m. during the week.
    n Do not wear a T-shirt, pin, sticker or anything else depicting a candidate. The county considers it campaigning, which New Mexico law prohibits within 100 feet of a polling location. (The American Civil Liberties Union says most states have a similar rule, and it recommends not wearing campaign clothing or buttons to the polls.) People who wear a campaign T-shirt will be asked to go into the bathroom and put it on inside-out.
    n Taking books or bottled water is fine.
    n The clerk provides pens and magnifying glasses.
    n You can use the straight-party-ticket option but still vote for other candidates in any of the races.
    n You can cast a ballot at any early voting site, not just the one closest to you.
    n You can cast a ballot at an early voting site even if you've requested an absentee ballot through the mail, but you must sign an affidavit attesting that you didn't receive the absentee ballot. Just fill out the form and tell the poll workers, and they will cancel your absentee ballot, so it's not counted even if someone returns it later.
    n Sample ballots are available online — bernco.gov — under the "Where Do I Vote?" feature.
    n Call 468-1291 with questions.