craigdailypress.com

The telephones at the Moffat County Clerk and Recorder's Office start ringing at 6 a.m. on Election Day and don't stop until after the polls close.

"It gets hectic here," Motor Vehicle Deputy DeAnn Gonzalez said. "The phone rings almost non-stop."

Some people check to see whether they're registered to vote, but most want to know where they vote.

Some people stop by because they've gone to vote at one place and were told they weren't registered there.

Moffat County is divided into 13 precincts. Each precinct has its own polling place on even-year elections. Precincts are usually combined on odd years.

That leads to a lot of confusion on the part of voters, Herod said.

"I've voted in three different places since I've been here," Craig resident Pete Alexander said. "They move it around so much. Every time I turn around, I don't know where to go."

This year, Herod has come up with a solution she thinks will make voting easier and relieve employees at the clerk and recorder's office.

All residents except those in the Hamilton, Maybell, Brown's Park and Dinosaur precincts will vote at Centennial Mall.

"Election judges for years have said it would be nice to combine the precincts," Herod said. "This will save tax dollars and be easier on voters."

The change means Herod has to hire fewer election judges and in 2006, when voting machines are required, it will mean the county has to purchase fewer. In addition, the county will save on the number of posters and other supplies needed.

The Aug. 10 primary election will give election officials a chance to perfect the system. Generally, 15 percent to 45 percent fewer voters turnout for a primary election than do for the general election.

Plans are to have six sign-in tables set up alphabetically. Voters will then be directed to a table representing their precinct. The flow will be set up circularly to get people in and out with minimal fuss -- or waiting.

Last year's unusually high turnout for a combined election led to long lines and voter frustration, Herod said.

This year, that should be alleviated.

"Mostly the response (to the change) has been wonderful," she said. "People are so excited."

Craig resident Jill Beck estimates she's had to call the clerk and recorder's office in five different elections to find out where she had to vote. She moved to Craig from Gillette, Wyo., where she'd already had experience with centralized polling.

"Everyone knew just to go there," Beck said.

She likes the idea that Craig is adopting a similar system, especially following her experience at the polls last year.

"It seemed like it was hours before you got to the front of the line," she said.

Not everyone thinks the change will be a good one.

Riley Sovine said he'll pick up an absentee ballot this year to avoid what he thinks will be long lines caused by centralized polling.

"That's too many people," he said. "I liked it the way you used to vote, you got in and got out."

Voters still must bring a valid identification to the polls in order to get a ballot.

The Moffat County Clerk and Recorder's motor vehicle division will be closed on Election Day, but the office will still be manned for records inspections and election-related questions.

Absentee ballots cannot be turned in at the polls on the day of the primary election.

They must be taken to the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Christina M. Currie can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 210 or at ccurrie@craigdailypress.com.