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Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Early voting inside the trailer next to the city of Salem Registrar’s Office has been taking place since Sept. 20.
As of Tuesday morning, 2,866 in-person early votes had been cast at the Registrar’s Office. Close to 1,000 absentee ballots have also been received by mail. “We’ve still got to Nov. 2, but we’re way up from previous years,” Dana Oliver, director of elections, said. She also noted that things have gone smoothly thus far and that there have been enough volunteers.
“People need to know that you also have to vote on both sides of the ballot. You have to turn the ballot over because the sheriff’s race, the constitutional amendment and city council are on the back side,” she cautioned to voters.
Oliver also stressed that voters “must bring some form of ID.”
Tuesday marked the last day to register to vote or change one’s voter registration ahead of the Nov. 5 election. However, same day registration is available but will be a provisional vote that will be counted after the election, if accepted.
Early voting will continue through Saturday, Nov. 2, with voting happening Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Voting will also be available on two Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25 is the last day to request an absentee ballot by mail, with applications needing to be received by the Registrar’s Office by 5 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, all dropped off absentee voted ballots will need to be returned to the Registrar’s Office by 7 p.m. On Friday, Nov. 8, all mailed absentee voted ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and returned to the Registrar’s Office by noon will be counted.
On Election Day, Nov. 5, the polls will be open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center.