Tooele County Clerk Marilyn Gillette is preparing for what will likely be the largest voter turnout in the history of the county during this year’s presidential election.

“In 2004, the voter turnout was 66 percent. That is pretty typical of a presidential election,” said Gillette. “But this year I expect the turnout will be higher. Voters have strong feelings about the presidential candidates and people in general are more aware of the issues and want their say in the election.”

In 2004, there were 25,198 registered voters in the county. Today there are 33,026, according to Gillette. That is an increase of 31 percent.

The budget for the 2008 presidential election is $100,000. Four years ago, the county spent $75,000 on that presidential election. Part of the increased cost is for operating three early voting sites. In 2004, the county had one early voting location at the county courthouse, and Gillette said it was overcrowded. The county is also renting laptops for poll workers to use to look up voter records this year — a move designed to increase speed and accuracy in checking records.

Polling locations have also been rearranged to handle the anticipated turnout.

“Some locations did not have enough parking, others were not handicap accessible, and in some cases we wanted to be able to group voting machines together to make better use of them,” Gillette said. “We also had some polling places that did not have adequate space for the machines needed with the growth in the precincts.”

Most of the changes were designed to consolidate several precincts into one location. That move won’t reduce the number poll workers needed, according to Gillette. Instead of saving money or manpower, the idea is to try and make voting lines move faster and provide a private and comfortable experience for voters, Gillette said.

“In some of the old locations, we had to squeeze machines into the hallway close together, which made privacy while voting difficult,” Gillette said. “All the new locations have plenty of room, and with better parking and handicap access, voting should be a better experience for everyone.”

Last week a call went out to local PTA members to volunteer as poll workers. While the actual number of poll workers needed will not increase, Gillette said that at every election it is harder to find enough poll workers.

“Some of our poll workers are uncomfortable with using computers and others drop out for other reasons,” Gillette said. Poll worker training takes about three hours to complete, and state law requires poll workers from both major parties be present at the voting place to ensure it remains neutral. Even with the polling locations consolidation, Gillette expects lines at all locations because of the estimate number of voters heading out to the polls.

“The best time to vote is during the day between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,” Gillette said. “But most people will try to vote before or after work.”

Voters that want to avoid lines may vote before election day as well. From Oct. 21 to Oct. 31, any voter registered in Tooele County may vote from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. — except on Halloween when polls will close at 5:00 p.m. — at the Tooele County Courthouse, Grantsville City Hall or Rose Springs Elementary.

Voters that want to avoid standing in line or are unable to make it to the polls on Nov. 4, may also vote by absentee ballot, Gillette said.

Applications for absentee ballots are available at www.co.tooele.ut.us/clerk.htm or at the county clerk’s office. Applications must be completed and returned to the clerk’s office by the Friday before the election. The office will then send the voter a ballot to complete and return by mail.

“This year’s ballot will be long,” Gillette said. “With 23 elected positions and constitutional amendments to vote on, I expect the ballot will be four or five pages. Voters can make the process go smoother if they will review a sample ballot before going to the poll so they will know who they are going to vote for.”

Tim Gillie: tgillie@tooeletranscript.com