Traffic

Early voters already encounter lines in Ada, Canyon counties

It's too late to get a mail-in ballot, andthe mailing deadline for those approaches.

BY SANDRA FORESTER - sforester@idahostatesman.com

Published: 10/30/08

Comments (0) |

ELSEWHERE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE RISE IN ABSENTEE BALLOTS

County2004 returned2008 returned so far2008 requested

Ada26,34841,00067,000

Canyon7,0519,29211,916

Call your county election office.

Ada County: 287-6860.

Canyon County: 454-7562.

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, voters with disabilities can call a toll-free hotline, (866) 262-3462, to receive help with any voting problems from advocates and attorneys with Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc. Callers also can use the Idaho Relay System at 800-377-3529 (TTY/ASCII); 711 (TTY); or 866-252-0684 for Spanish.

Absentee voting in the Treasure Valley so far surpasses numbers from 2004, the last presidential election, and walk-in voters are waiting in lines.

The time to request an absentee ballot by mail ended Wednesday. Officials said thousands of ballots are still outstanding - about 26,000 in Ada County, and about 5,000 in Canyon County. Election officials urge voters to mail their ballots as soon as possible.

"Don't waste any time," said Ada County Chief Deputy Clerk Chris RIch.

In Ada County, up to 80,000 people are expected to vote early by walk-in or mail-in absentee ballots, compared with 26,348 counted in 2004, election officials said. Canyon County expects up to 14,000, compared with 7,051 in 2004, said Chief Deputy Clerk Brad Jackson.

Officials said walk-in voters should give themselves plenty of time, too. Voters are waiting in lines throughout the day at the Canyon County Election Office, 1102 E. Chicago, Caldwell, and at the Public Safety Building, 7180 Barrister Drive, Boise, officials said.

Ballots must be received by Monday if sent through the mail. They can be hand delivered to the Public Safety Building in Ada County or the Elections Office in Canyon County by 5 p.m. Monday as well.

On Election Day, Nov. 4, absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. in the Canyon County Elections Office or in the Ada County Courthouse, 200 W. Front St., Boise.

Voters who take them to their polling place will be directed to the elections office or the courthouse.

Sandra Forester: 377-6464

OPTIONS: Most Read Stories | Story Comments | Email story | Print story

Story Comments
We welcome comments but ask that you remain on topic. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate or are off topic are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Do not flag comments merely because you disagree with the comment.

more about comments here.