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Decision 2010: Are you ready to vote?
The clock is winding down and Election Day is almost here so what are some of the big issues drawing people to the polls this year?
We have the mayoral race in Grand Island and a sales tax issue in Hastings. What other issues are acting as beacons on the ballot? There is also the 3rd district congressional race, the governor's race, and the local city council and county supervisor elections. However, low voter turnout rates are expected across the state and now is the time for you to decide to get out to the polls Tuesday. Getting ready for Tuesday's election poll teams in Hall County start hauling out the voting equipment. It's the time of year Commissioner Baker's staff goes from two to 140. And Hall County residents make that final decision to get out and vote or not. "I don't know anything about politics. It's not something that I enjoy doing, not something that I'm interested in," Grand Island resident Anesha Wimberly said. "I kind of think it's important to stand behind your community. At least I can say I voted if it was wrong, it was wrong if not, it's not," said Doniphan resident Sharon Mecca. Here in Hall County the highest voter turn out rate on record is 75–80 percent. That was back in 2008 during the presidential election, but this year low voter turnout is expected across the state however in hall county things are looking pretty average with 1900 early voters and an expected voter turn out rate of 45–50 percent. "You know it is pretty standard in Hall County to beat those average numbers for the state of Nebraska. I don't know if it's our demographics. We have a lot of senior citizens that know the importance of voting and know that their vote definitely is important," said Hall County Election Commissioner Dale Baker. And there are some issues bringing people in. "I think the mayoral race in the city of Grand Island is something that people are paying attention to. The congressional race - there have been some debates that have been getting people's attention so I'm hoping that's another reason why they're coming out," Baker said. But for some just the right to vote draws them to the polls. "I have a voice and I live in the United States that's why I'm going to vote," Mecca said. Early and absentee voting in Adams and Buffalo Counties are a little down for a non–presidential year – about 870 in Adams and nearly 1400 in Buffalo. If voters are not sure about where their polling place is they can call their county election commissioner's office. A lot of counties now have that information on their web sites. If you live in the Tri-Cities check the links below: Buffalo County: http://buffalogov.org/offices/Election/pollingplaces.asp Adams County: http://www.adamscounty.org/clerk/polling.htm Hall County: http://www.hallcountyne.gov/content.lasso?page=6105 |
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