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Ada County clerk outlines expanded early voting, Oct. 24 registration and absentee deadline
Summary
Ada County Clerk Trent Frankel told the Board of County Commissioners that in-person early voting begins Oct. 20 at eight sites countywide, ballots will be printed on demand at those sites, and Oct. 24 is the deadline both to register and to request an absentee ballot.
Trent Frankel, Ada County clerk, told the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 7 that in-person early voting for the November election will begin Oct. 20 and run through Oct. 31 at eight sites spread across the county, with at least one early site in each city.
Frankel said the county will provide ballot-on-demand capability at every early voting site so any Ada County voter can cast their ballot at any early location. He also said the statutory deadline change this year means Oct. 24 is the last day both to register and to request an absentee ballot. As of the meeting, Frankel said about 8,300 absentee ballots had been requested and roughly 1,700 had been returned.
Frankel said the county has 189 precincts and 132 polling locations scheduled for election day and estimated turnout of roughly 25 to 30 percent based on historical trends for similar elections. He identified a few races that could affect turnout, including two bond/levy measures and several contested local races.
The clerk flagged a planned ribbon-cutting for the remodeled elections headquarters; a date will be set and announced separately. He said the office continues to manage logistical challenges tied to the facility remodel and to equipment and storage changes but that preparations were proceeding.
Frankel answered commissioners' questions about lines and ballots, noting that some precincts see morning rushes and that competitiveness of particular precincts can affect wait times. He confirmed early sites will print the correct ballot for any voter who shows up countywide.
The clerk's presentation covered administrative details (site names and full schedule were referenced on the agenda packet). Commissioners expressed interest in avoiding runoffs and thanked elections staff for their work.
Ending: The clerk encouraged voters to use early voting if they wish to avoid lines, reminded residents of the Oct. 24 registration/absentee deadline, and said the county will publicize early-voting sites and the ribbon-cutting date when finalized.
