Changes to greet voters at the polls this year

Changes await Sheridan County voters who cast their ballots at the polls this year – including, in some cases, where they will go to vote.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, County Clerk Eda Schunk Thompson said the number of polling places has been reduced from over 20 to 14 for the Aug. 18 primary election. She said people can check the county website to find out if their polling places have changed and, if so, where they will need to go this year.

She thinks the biggest difference will be in planning and preparation for social distancing.

A change not related to the COVID-19 is new equipment. Thompson said the equipment has been certified, tested and is ready to go. Because of the new equipment, she said, there will be less equipment at the polling places because there will be only one machine at each polling place rather than one for each precinct and district.

In terms of what won’t change, Thompson said there will still be a registration table at each of the polling places, so people can register to vote on site. But, she said, voting booths will be arranged to maintain social distancing.

Polling places will still be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as in years past.