Early voting moving ahead

With the primary election rapidly approaching and the United States still dealing with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), absentee voting has taken center stage this election cycle. At the July 20 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC), Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett provided the board with an update on ballots.

According to Bartlett, her office had sent out a total of 1,744 requested absentee ballots and 529 had been received as of the day of the meeting. 

“As I told you before the meeting started, four years ago in a similar election (we) only had about 2,800 people vote period. Both by absentee and in polling places for the primaries. We’ve already sent out most of those, if those same people vote,” said Bartlett.

Indeed, according to election results available at carbonwy.com there had been 2,847 cards cast out of 5,575 registered voters in the county. As of July 27, the number of returned absentee ballots had increased to 774. As of July 1, according to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website, Carbon County had 5,812 registered voters.

Absentee voting is open to any voter registered in Carbon County and the deadline for early voting is August 17. Those wanting to vote early and in person with an absentee ballot can do so at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins. To request an absentee ballot, visit the Carbon County Clerk’s Office in person or call 1-800-250-9812.

The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on August 4 at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins.