There’s a New Way to Vote in Douglas County
Douglas County, Colo. – Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Carole Murray has initiated a Voter Education Outreach program to inform citizens about the significant changes in this year’s election process. Descriptions of the changes can be found at www.DouglasVotes.com, a site that will be regularly updated with information about where the public can get hands-on experience with the new eSlate™ voting device. Murray and her staff are visiting local service clubs, government meetings and local events to allow voters to practice on the eSlates™ and to see the Vote Center locations map. Visit www.DouglasVotes.com for times and locations of these events.
Changes made to the voting process are a result of the federal Help American Vote Act and will provide significant savings in tax dollars. Instead of having 100+ voting precincts, Douglas County will now have 29 Vote Centers. Voters can vote at any of the 29 Vote Centers, which were selected along busy commuter routes and in all geographic areas of the County, instead of their designated precinct. Disabled voters will find easy access into the polling sites, along with new voting equipment designed to meet their needs. Find a convenient Vote Center location at www.DouglasVotes.com.
“Changing to 29 Vote Centers allows citizens with a busy lifestyle more convenience, especially those who commute longer distances to work,” said Murray. “Now a Larkspur resident can easily vote in Highlands Ranch where they work. Of course, voters may still choose to vote by absentee ballot or by early voting.”
The new eSlate™ device is about the size of a legal pad, one-inch thick and weighs just 5.2 pounds. The voter uses a rotary wheel to move through the ballot and a red “enter” button to make a selection – giving new meaning to the phrase “the wheels of democracy are turning!” Voters may practice navigating the device at www.DouglasVotes.com. Paper ballots will not be available at the Aug. 8 primary or the Nov. 7 general election. All voters will receive a yellow signature card in the mail prior to the election; bringing this card to the Vote Center will allow for smoother processing.
Informational brochures are available at all Douglas County Motor Vehicle Offices, as well as libraries and other public locations.
Anyone who has switched addresses or needs to update their voter registration needs to make sure to do so by July 10 by visiting www.DouglasVotes.com, filling out a new voter registration form at any of the Douglas County Motor Vehicle Offices or by calling 303.660.7444. This way, citizens will be able to vote hassle-free in the Aug. 8 primary. Murray added, “We look forward to seeing you at the polls in 2006.”
