Be aware of changes in vote laws

Throughout the state, voter registrations are significantly higher than in 2002 or 2000, which — while good for participation levels — could make voting a much more time-consuming endeavor, especially in the early morning and evening hours, Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said.

Despite the higher voter numbers, counties have not purchased new punch-card equipment to handle the increased numbers because of a multimillion dollar purchase of electronic machines planned for next year.

Swensen urged people to vote between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. as much as possible, since she is expecting "high turnout and long lines" before people go to work and after they get off of work. However, for those who are voting during the busiest hours, do not automatically assume that the long line is the right line, since many polling locations have multiple precincts.

Along with higher registration numbers, the amount of absentee ballots has jumped because of new rules that allow "no-excuse" absentee voting, Swensen said. In Salt Lake County, more than 20,000 absentee ballots have been cast, about double that of previous years. Many other counties are reporting similar increases.

"We're way ahead," Swensen said. "It will be a record year for absentee voting."

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