Preparations for Tuesday

Last Saturday I spent 3 hours at a training session for precinct Presiding Judges. There are far more rules than I had expected - and the accounting at the end of the day is archane - I suspect billeyler would be far more qualified for that part than I. Yesterday, I went to the voting machine warehouse for training on the use of the M100 tabulator (the machine that scans the paper ballots) and the automark automatic marking machine. Today, I picked up my ballot box, equipment, supplies and ballot papers for Tuesday's election.

At first I was a little surprised to see that I only have 380 blank ballots, when the precinct lists over 500 voters - then I looked over the voter list. A full 60% at least are listed as having either voted early, or having received an absentee ballot. The net result? I suspect that the turnout at my precinct will be very light. And even so, the county has increased staffing to seven (from the usual five) for each precinct, in order to cope with the anticipated demand.

I'm thinking I should take a good book. Or two.

I'm actually excited that so many people have early voted - I think that bodes very well for the election as a whole in New Mexico.