Early voting Tuesday indicated a likely larger turnout than initially expected from the elections office, while some polling places have reported issues with signs being placed illegally within 100 feet of the locations.
“Overall, right now, we’re seeing a definite increase in the projected turnout,” said Angela Curro, deputy clerk-recorder-registrar for San Benito County, referring to the initial estimated from the office of between 40 percent and 45 percent of registered voters expected to cast ballots.
Aside from a steady stream of poll voters – to go with higher than usual mail-in ballot turnout – the biggest issue as of noon Tuesday was the trend with illegally placed signs. Curro said several downtown polling places reported political signs being placed within a 100 feet perimeter around polling places, though she didn’t have details on the types of signs being posted.
“There have been some complaints, and we did pass that on to the city clerk, who is working with the police chief,” Curro said.
Chief David Westrick hadn’t gotten wind of the sign issue as of noon, but did say such reports are normal for election cycles.
“We get calls for political signs every season we have these things,” Westrick said.
At polling places such as Rancho San Justo Middle School, voting was going “real smooth” as of around 11:45 a.m., said Christopher Dias, a clerk for the location.
It was Dias’ first time as an election worker, and he noted there were just a “couple dry spells” with traffic in the morning.
Dr. Ken Kovanda, a veteran of Election Day work, was seated next to Dias at Rancho.
“Yeah, this is pretty good,” he said of turnout so far.
Over at the Portuguese Hall, poll workers also commented on the volume of voters coming through. Julie Vigna was working an election for the third time and said it had been “very busy” there.
“They’re very neutral,” Vigna said. “They just ask for their ballot.”
