By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus is hoping voter turnout “goes into high gear” following a “very slow” turnout as of noon Monday.

Maskus said their are 10 polling sites in Ellis County. One polling location in Hays reported just 12 voters. The highest numbers in Hays were reported at two polling stations each reporting 131 voters.

However, Maskus said the Ellis polling site reported a “steady pace” of 278 voters throughout the morning.

All polling locations will close their doors at 7 p.m., but those already inside the building by the deadline are allowed to vote.

Masksus expects all votes will arrive at Ellis County Administration Building, 718 Main, by  8 p.m. and  the unofficial results will be announced tonight.

She said the public is invited to wait there while the votes are tabulated.

“At that point, we will start looking at provisional ballots … people who have moved, changed their name or did not have the correct ID when they voted,” Maskus said, adding the results are only official after they are canvassed April 13.

For more information, contact the  Ellis County Clerk’s office at (785) 628-9410.

The unofficial results will be posted on HaysPost.com when they are available.