[October 25, 2008] Ready, set, vote: Clerk offers helpful tips Tweet Oct 25, 2008 (St. Joseph News-Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Don't be that guy on Election Day. That's basically what Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway is trying to say. The only big concern on Nov. 4 is people who haven't updated their addresses attempting to vote at the wrong polling place, Mr. Conway said. Those voters' records must be updated, and they must go to the proper location to vote. The process can tie up a poll worker at the polling place and at the clerk's central database. "The delays will affect not just the voter, but also the people who are in line," Mr. Conway said. On a day for which Mr. Conway predicts 70 percent turnout -- that's 35,000 to 37,000 voters in Buchanan County -- those little hangups can cause headaches. The following are some basics to get prepared for Nov. 4, some of which most voters might not be aware: Buchanan County voters will have 19 races and measures to decide. To avoid being caught off guard, voters can review their precinct's ballot online at www.buchcomovotes.com/viewballots.html. A copy of the sample ballot will be in the next two Sunday editions of the News-Press in Buchanan County. Straight-party voting is no longer an option. Voters must select a candidate in each race. Circling the party logo on the ballot will not count. Although any government-issued picture ID or voter registration card will let you vote, both are not necessary. In fact, state law allows people to vote with only a bank statement or utility bill with the voter's name and current address. Other acceptable IDs are a voter card, driver's license, student ID, passport, government check or other government document. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee voting runs through 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. The clerk's office will be open today from 9 a.m. to noon for absentee voting and to change addresses, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. next week and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 1. Voters can check and change their addresses through Nov. 1. For more information, visit or contact the clerk's office at 271-1412, www.buchcomovotes.com/ or Room 121 of the courthouse, 411 Jules St. Joe Blumberg can be reached at [email protected]. To see more of the St. Joseph News-Press or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.stjoenews-press.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]