City moving polling place

By Susan Larson | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lynne Olson

Mainly for safety’s sake, third-ward voters will go to MSTCT’s Legacy Hall rather than Mc-Kinley Elementary School for voting in the 2008 primary and general election.

“For years, McKinley was the polling place for Ward 3,” said Assistant to the City Administrator Lynne Olson, election administrator. “With all the construction and remodeling at the different schools, and kindergarten and preschool being at McKinley (next year), we didn’t want a lot of people walking through the school.”

The city contacted the college, which generously offered Legacy free of charge. While security is the main consideration, other factors, such as convenience, come into play.

“We were voting in a couple of classrooms and that displaces teachers for a few days,” Olson said. “And there were parking issues. We’re very grateful to the college for their generosity.”

The new location, Olson, said, could result in an unexpected bonus.

“We use student (high school and college-age) judges a lot. We hope to get more college students to help out. With Legacy, they’re right on campus. It’s perfect for students looking for volunteer experience.”

“At the college, we have programs like Student Senate that provide students with those opportunities,” said

POLLS

Steve Guttormson, MSTCT’s public relations director. “Maybe having it in their own backyard will encourage them to participate.”

Other polling sites remain the same: Ward one votes at the fire station; Ward two, the armory; and Ward four, city hall council chambers.

This is Olson’s first year as election administrator, having inherited the job from JoEllen Thacker when she retired. Olson is attending her first election training session this week. While the job is new, it is not totally unfamiliar territory. At her former job with the United Way, Olson frequently worked with volunteers. Volunteer organization will be an important part of her job when she coordinates election judges.

The state primary election will be Sept. 9, followed by the general election Nov. 4. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. About 40 judges are needed for both events. The county helps with judge training, which is offered July 11 through Oct. 31.

“It would be nice if the same judges could work both (primary and general),” Olson said. “You can work a whole block of time. It doesn’t have to be all day.”

Among other duties, judges pass out ballots; help voters with problems; deliver absentee ballots to nursing homes; test machines; and set up and take down equipment.

“We want to make it seem easy for people to vote,” she said.

For more information about being a judge, or to volunteer, call Olson, 332-5404.

While Olson doesn’t feel intimidated by this new task, there are aspects that seem a bit overwhelming.

“I’ve got a 52-page manual of dates I have to read,” she said. “Things have to be done in by certain dates and deadlines. Staying on top of those dates is going to be a challenge for me.”

For example, June 11 is the last day before the September primary to designate a new polling place. A notice of election must be posted for public inspection by Aug. 25

Candidate filings for mayor and city council open Aug. 26 and close Sept. 9. the terms of Merlyn Shelstad, Ward two; Ron Burt, Ward one; Rick Wilson, Ward three; Ben Schierer, Ward four; and Mayor Russell Anderson are due to expire Dec. 31.