Election interest is low

Interest in the Sept. 10 primary election has been extremely low thus far, according to Director of Elections Karen K. Fender.

The state had instituted a number of new regulations this year in an attempt to bolster voter turnout. Among those was having no-excuse one-stop voting available to all registered voters prior to election day. Despite the new and convenient option, which will end Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., Fender said that only 38 people have exercised it so far.

"I am very disappointed in the turnout so far," said Fender, noting that having the option available is not easy.

"I have to do the same work whether we have 1,000 voters or one voter turn out," said Fender. "With numbers this small, it is frustrating."

Another option for voters who may not be able to show up at the polls is absentee voting by mail. Fender said that about 40 people have used that, more traditional, absentee option. Absentee ballots by mail must be returned to the board of elections by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9. It doesn't matter when they are postmarked, those ballots must be in the office prior to the deadline. "I have to have them in my hands by then," she said.

In addition, Fender worked with Alleghany In Motion Director Jim Page to have a promotion aimed at increasing ridership with AIM and voter participation. AIM is offering voters from anywhere in the county a trip to go vote for only $1 each way. The service offers handicap accessible transportation, as well as regular vans.

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