WASHOE COUNTY READIES FOR HISTORIC ELECTION DAY

Reno, Nevada. November 3, 2008. After setting a new record for early voters last week, Washoe County election officials are getting ready for what they expect may be another record-breaking voter turnout on Election Day, November 4^th.

“While voter turnout percentage may not set a new record, I think we’ll definitely see the highest number of actual voters on Election Day turn out tomorrow,” states Dan Burk, Washoe County Registrar of Voters. Burk is predicting that voter turnout could be as high as 80% or more.

New Records Set. The 2008 Election has already seen unprecedented numbers of Washoe County registered voters (231,470) with about 25,000 new registered voters since the August primary. A new record was set by early voters last week with 101,604 people casting their ballots during the 14-day early voting period that ended Friday, October 31^st. This represents about 44% of total registered voters and a 142% increase over total number of early voters in the 2006 Election.

Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. tomorrow and close at 7 p.m. If there are people in line at 7 p.m., the polling place will stay open until the last person in line by 7 p.m. has a chance to vote. There are 99 polling locations throughout Washoe County; 70% are school locations and 30% are other public facilities with a limited number of church buildings. Tuesday, November 4^th is an in-service teacher training day for Washoe County schools so students have the day off; Washoe County is grateful to the school district for helping facilitate voting through their training schedule.

Nearly 1,000 poll workers will work the locations on Election Day; 150 of them are county employees serving most of the poll manager positions. For the first time, recruited student poll workers (16 years and older) will be participating as part of the County’s new Youth Vote Program.

Below are the names and locations of polling manager who are willing to be interviewed by the media:

Justin Champagne, Gomm Elementary School, 4000 Mayberry Drive, Reno

Mike Sullens, Bennett Elementary School, 5900 Sidehill Drive, Sun Valley

Naomi Duerr, Reno Livestock Events Center-Exhibit Hall, Reno

Jeremy Bosler, Swope Middle School, 901 Keele Drive, Reno

Jeff Knight, Billinghurst Middle School, 6685 Chesterfield Lane, Reno

Don Jeppson, Damonte Ranch High School, 10500 Rio Wrangler Drive, Reno

Kathy Garcia, South Valleys Library, 15650 Wedge Parkway, Reno

Paul Jalbert, Vaughn Middle School, 1200 Bresson Vanue, Reno

If you are interested in interviewing a student poll worker, please contact Liz Ortiz at 813-0799.

Media Inquiries. There will be two County Public Information Officers facilitating media inquiries on Election Day. Mimi Fujii-Strickler (313-7292) will be working 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.; please contact her directly if you would like to set up interviews for the morning newscasts. Kathy Carter (772-7930) will be coordinating media inquiries from approximately 12 noon until election results are declared. Both PIOs will be stationed at the County Registrar’s Office.

Citizen Inquiries. The most common question voters have on Election Day is, “where do I go to vote?” Voters should look on the back of their sample ballot to find their polling location; VOTERS MUST VOTE AT THEIR ASSIGNED POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY. If they don’t have their sample ballot, they can go to the County’s website at www.washoecounty.us and check their voter registration record on-line (link is on the frontpage). Or, they can call the Registrar’s Office at 327-3670 or the Spanish-speaking line at 325-8176; poll workers assigned to the phone bank will be receiving calls that come in.

No Electioneering. Once again, voters are reminded that state law prohibits advocacy of a candidate or ballot question less than 100 feet from a polling place. Known as “electioneering,” this type of advocacy is not restricted to people carrying signs, but also to voters who enter the polling place wearing buttons, clothing or other items that advocate for a candidate, party or ballot question outcome. The same is true for items advocating not voting for a particular candidate, party or issue.