Not every community has a ballot this November but clerks are preparing for another Election Day.
While the crowds won’t be as big, clerks still have to contend with COVID-19 again this year and a newfound distrust in the election process.
In an off-year November, elections are still important but it’s not going to bring in the big crowds that clerks would see next year or the ones they saw last year. Local clerks are already seeing a lot of people interested in voting, especially ones voting absentee. In Mt. Pleasant, 75% of the ballots that were requested have already been returned.
“We do the same amount of work whether one person shows up or all eligible voters show up,” said Heather Bouck, Mt. Pleasant’s city clerk.
The lines may not be long but it can be seen as a bit of a dry run for next year. Mt. Pleasant has three city commission seats up for grabs and a major school millage. Turnout is expected to be low but because they just never know, all protocols will be in place.
“All election workers, as city employees, will be required to masks,” said Bouck.
As for the voters?
“Masks will be encouraged but not required.”
The biggest change this election prep cycle, according to Bouck, and one that could be an issue next year, is the lack of eligible election workers.
“We have lost a few precinct workers that have struggled with declaring a party over the things that have transpired in the years recent,” said Bouck, “Although we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve been able to consolidate precincts for these three elections.”
For a year, there has still been a sizable group of people who question the election process and integrity. The impact of those questions may not show in this smaller election, but if they linger, could play huge in 2022.
“It’s disheartening,” said Bouck, “If clerks do their jobs efficiently and effectively, there should be no reason to question the integrity of election.”
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