By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

Advanced voting for the upcoming primary election is nothing out of the ordinary, according to Saline County’s election officer.

County Clerk Jamie Allen said that as of this afternoon, 817 Saline County residents had voted in person at the City-County Building, 300 West Ash. Additionally, her office had mailed out 517 ballots. Both numbers, she said, were typical for this point in the primary voting cycle.

In an effort to encourage more voters, the county clerk’s office will have the advanced voting place in the City-County Building open for four hours on Saturday as well.

“We decided to try it this year to help those who work out of town and aren’t able to vote during the regular advanced hours,” Allen said. “It will also help others who, who because of work or family issues, are not able to come in during the regular hours.”

Following are the remaining hours for advanced voting in this year’s primary.

• Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Monday: 8 a.m.-noon

The primary election day is scheduled for 7 a.m-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Allen said her office is still seeking people to serve as election workers. The county has 32 precincts with three to five workers each.

“We always can use election workers,” she said.

For information about being an election worker or to get application materials, please go to www.saline.org/Departments/Elections-Office/Election-Workers or you can call the Saline County Kansas Election Office at 785-309-5820.

Allen said it also was important for voters to know that they will have to declare a party affiliation — either Democrat or Republican — if they are unaffiliated and want to vote in the primary election.

Additionally, persons wanting to run as an independent in the general election in November must file by petition no later than noon on Monday.

As for Saline County voters, Allen stressed the need for people to get out and vote.

“I always say, ‘your vote is your voice.’ It is important to get out and vote,” Allen said.

If you aren’t sure of your voter registration status or polling place, click here.