By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Absentee voting for the April 7 local election started strong, according to Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus, but it has “really slowed down” — and that concerns her.
“As of last Friday evening, we had 269 absentee ballots requested,” she said late Monday morning.
“You have until noon Monday, April 6, to come into the County Clerk’s office in the Administrative Center, 718 Main, to vote in advance,” Maskus said. Business hours are 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“I will note the county offices will be closed this Friday, April 3, in observance of Good Friday,” she pointed out, “so I encourage everyone to get out early and vote in advance. Then you have it taken care of.”
Eligible voters can also apply for an advance ballot by mail, which must be back before 7 p.m. election night, Tuesday, April 7.
The April 7 election results will be the first to be tabulated in the new county administrative center.
“It’s a new site so some things are located differently,” Maskus said. “I’m looking at putting all the tabulations downstairs (in the building basement) and keeping most of the public upstairs (on the main floor).
“We will bring out printed results as soon as we get them. We’re not going to get out the old green chalkboard. I see the results all coming in about the same time — they usually do,” she added.
County commissioners will canvass those results officially during their Monday, April 13, meeting at 5 p.m.
Maskus predicts an 18 percent to 20 percent voter turnout for the city/school election — about average.
“Our past history isn’t very good. We all know that. But we’re talking about city and school and that’s so important … especially for our young people,” she said. “I really encourage people to get out and vote. Educate yourself before you vote. A lot of people I’ve spoken to don’t even know there’s an election. That alarms me a lot.
“For 2015, this upcoming city and school board election is the only one on the calendar, unless a special election is scheduled. Of course, 2016 will be a busy election year,” she said with a smile.
The year 2016 will include a state general election and the presidential election.
Anyone with questions about voting should call the Ellis County Clerk office at (785) 628-9410.