ELY –Local election officials were busy this week preparing for the Aug. 11 state primary, which features a $10 million school district bond issue and party races for U.S. Senate and Representative.
Some 350 absentee ballot applications have been processed and sent out since mid-June by the absentee ballot board, and just about half of them were returned by early this week, according to Casey Velcheff, Ely deputy clerk and head election judge.
“I anticipate a busy week,” Velcheff said, “as we receive, record and secure each ballot.” Absentee ballot counting, by law, cannot begin until after the polls close next Tuesday.
In-person voting will take place on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ely Senior Center. Voters must mail absentee ballots this week, or ballots can be dropped off at the Ely City Clerk’s office in City Hall, 209 E Conan St. The clerk’s office is open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours will also be available on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In-person voting at City Hall is also available until Monday at 5 p.m.
Velcheff said the primary vote is a good test on what to expect for the general election on Nov. 3. The clerk’s office anticipates receiving as many as 600 absentee ballot requests this November.
“Usually we get 50 or 60 mail-in ballots for a primary and for the 2016 general election we processed about 400 mailed ballots,” she said.
Voters planning to cast their ballot in person on Tuesday can expect some changes due to public health concerns of the coronavirus. A one-way traffic pattern will be established with voters exiting out the side door. Plexiglass shields will be in use.
“Wear your face mask,” Velcheff said. “We will have face masks available. We will also adhere to social distancing protocols. Please follow directional arrows stickers on the floor. Each voter will get their own pen to use. We will be sanitizing each voting station after each voter.”
School referendum
Voters in the Ely school district will be asked to approve or disapprove an increase in property taxes for the next 20 years to help pay for a $20-million project that will improve the Ely school buildings by connecting the campus into one safer facility, adding more space for learning, and improving the overall condition of the 100-year-old buildings.
For more information on the referendum and school facility project, call Superintendent Erik Erie at 218-365-6166. Details are also available on the ISD 696 website, www.ely.k12.mn.us.