The 2016 general election is right around the corner, and a majority of Americans will cast their vote for the next President of the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Salt Lake County will be one of many local governments to conduct its election process primarily by mail this year. General election ballots were mailed to all registered voters in Salt Lake County in October.
Common issues that voters face include a lack of knowledge about the candidates, the voting process and where to vote. But Salt Lake Community College student and Salt Lake County election official Jayel Kirby is sharing her expertise to help people prepare for the election.
“The good thing about getting a ballot by mail [is] it gives you time to look over your options and study them,” she says. “You can get information on federal and local candidates, constitutional amendments, judges in your district, and local propositions.”
Voters who complete a mail-in ballot must have it postmarked by Monday, Nov. 7. The county has also set up ballot drop boxes which can be used anytime before voting ends on Election Day.
Kirby says that anyone who wants to go to the polls next Tuesday can still do so.
“Although most of the general election in Salt Lake County is being conducted by mail, you still have the option of voting in person on a machine on Election Day,” she says. “The good news is that you no longer have to figure out which location you are assigned to. Just bring your ID and your unmarked ballot in to any voting center in the valley, turn it over to an election official, and you will be given a ballot card that you can use to vote on a machine. It’s that simple.”
Early voting is also available at select polling locations through Friday, Nov. 4.
All registered voters are encouraged to participate in the political process. And in an election with so much controversy surrounding it, every vote counts.
