Early voters hit the polls
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 19, 2012 1:46 PM
Nearly 2,400 ballots were cast Thursday during the first day of one-stop voting, which continues through Saturday, Nov. 3, and includes Sunday, Oct. 28.
The Wayne County Public Library on East Ash Street reported 1,066 ballots cast, Woodmen of the World Lodge 3733, had 861 and First Congregational Church at Dudley had 463 for a total of 2,390.
Voters are reminded that a straight-party ticket on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election does not record a vote for several races including president, unaffiliated and non-partisan offices.
The presidential contest is listed first on the ballot and must be marked separately, even if a person votes a straight-party ticket.
The non-partisan offices are listed on the back of the ballot. Those include the Wayne County Board of Education, judicial races and the Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor.
People may vote a straight-party ticket and also vote for a candidate of a different party in any individual office.
Instructions for straight-party voting are listed on the front of the ballot.
Some races, such as those for president and governor include a line where voters may write in a candidate.
People who do not want to vote a straight-party may vote for each office individually.
To cast a ballot, the ovals next to the candidate's name must be filled in. If the ballot is torn, incorrectly marked or defaced, the voter may return it to polling officials and request a new one.
Sample ballots are available on the Wayne County Board of Elections website. Go to www.waynegov. com, go to Dept (A-H) and click on Board of Elections. On the left hand side of the page click on "2012 Election Information" and then on "Sample ballots for Nov 6 2012" to download the sample ballots.
Voters can also find out their precinct and polling place on the Website or they can call the Board of Elections office at 731-1411.
The one-stop hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wayne County Public Library, 1001 E. Ash St.; First Congregational Church, 215 Sleepy Creek Road, Dudley; and Woodmen of the World Lodge 3733 on U.S. 117 North.
Sunday's hours will be 1 to 5 p.m.
Two satellite locations, Fremont Town Hall and Johnston Ambulance Service on U.S. 70 West, will be open during the final week of one stop voting, Oct. 29 through Nov. 3.