Hollister
– San Benito County elections officials are all set for
Tuesday’s general election, but they aren’t expecting the voters to
flock the polls in the same numbers they did in the June
primary.
Hollister – San Benito County elections officials are all set for Tuesday’s general election, but they aren’t expecting the voters to flock the polls in the same numbers they did in the June primary.
More than 100 poll workers have been trained since April, polling places will be ready and officials expect everything to run smoothly, San Benito County Registrar John Hodges said Tuesday. But turnout may be low despite a gubernatorial election, the highly contested midterm elections of the United States Congress and two important local measures.
“I’m going to still predict that it’s low compared to the primary,” Hodges said.
Hodges explained that voters may be less interested because the primary had more to do with party voting. But the registrar works hard to get the word out and voters into polling places.
“If it comes out at 50 percent we’re doing well,” Hodges said.
The election may see several close races this year. Depending on the margin of victory, vote counting could be stretched out as long as three weeks to hand-count votes, Hodges said. Usually there are one or two close races, Hodges said.
Local campaign consultant Rick Rivas, who is currently Anna Caballero’s campaign manager, said the major issues for San Benito voters are leadership, effective government and safety. He said Measures S and R are of major importance.
“Voters are smart and they’re informed,” Rivas said. “And the election is going to show just how informed they are.”
County Supervisor Anthony Botelho agreed Measures S and R will be high priorities for voters, possibly shaping the county for years to come.
“I think locally without question, particularly in Hollister, Measure S, which could have a real change to our county’s complexion if it passes,” Botelho said.
Measure R has been hurt by its campaign’s late start, but has come on strong in the past month, Rivas said. Police enforcement, the fire department and the public library are all in need of help, Rivas said.
Botelho said public services will be in jeopardy if Measure R fails.
“If (Measure R is) not successful, county and city leaders need to put their heads together,” Botelho said.
The June primary was the third election in a row for which the United States Department of Justice sent staff into San Benito County to monitor the election. The DOJ took notice of San Benito County’s election after the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens complained that the county did not provide Spanish-language voting materials in a March 2004 election.
Officials expect the DOJ back again for Tuesday’s general election.
“I expect the Department of Justice to be on hand because they know the area and they know the staff and they want to be able to say San Benito County is in compliance which we have been,” Hodges said.
The 2002 Help America Vote Act led San Benito County to adopt touch screen electronic machines for the June primary in place of its punch card voting machines. Hodges previously told the Free Lance the debut was free of major problems.
The elections office has sent out approximately 11,000 absentee ballots, due on Tuesday at 8pm at any polling place, election officials said.
Hodges stressed the importance of voting.
“It’s a privilege,” Hodges said. “And it’s a right that you should participate in.”
To find the appropriate polling place, see the voting card the elections office sent through the mail or call the elections office at 831-636-4016.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335, or [email protected].
