Early voting off to busy start

Early voting for the 2012 general election got under way with a heavy voter turnout and a political rally Monday. Voters took to the polls at the Stutsman County Courthouse beginning at 8 a.m., according to Casey Brad- ley, county auditor and chief operating officer.

“Pretty good for a first day,” he said. “Voter turnout was 122 as of 2:30 Monday.”

Bradley said these voters were in addition to the roughly 1,000 who had been mailed absentee ballots in the previous weeks.

“We had a big rush at lunch and may see another at the end of the day,” he said. “But everybody is getting in and out pretty fast and that’s our goal.”

Pam Gulleson, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, marked the start of early voting with a lunch and rally for some of the party faithful at the party’s campaign headquarters at the Buffalo Mall.

“Early voting is very positive for North Dakota,” she said. “So many of our residents vote early or vote by mail in the counties where that is allowed. It’s so convenient.”

Bradley said the first day of early voting went smoothly with only two people who had voted previously needing to be added to the poll books. He also reminded people that state law prohibits people from campaigning within 100 feet of the doors of the courthouse while it is serving as the early voting polling place.

“It hasn’t been a problem but we remind people of it,” he said.

Early voting continues at the Stutsman County Courthouse through Nov. 5. The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 6, Election Day. Stutsman County voters may cast their ballots at the central voting location at the Jamestown Civic Center. Rural voters can cast ballots at Pingree, Kensal or Medina.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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