September 26, 2007 - Early Primary Election coming on February 5th

Paper: Mount Shasta News
Title: Early Primary Election coming on February 5th
Date: September 26, 2007

By Colleen Setzer, Siskiyou County Clerk

Have you been busy the past month getting your kids back in school? Or starting school yourself? Or perhaps thinking about the upcoming holidays? (By the way, there are only 95 days til Christmas!) I know I've been very busy this month preparing to administer the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election.

The February 5th presidential primary is a new election for California. The ballot will include the presidential nominee race and three state-wide propositions. There may be more propositions added too, as the deadline for qualifying for the ballot is September 27th.

The purpose of a primary election is for political parties to nominate candidates to appear on the ballot at the General Election. California's primary system is frustrating to some, as ballots are issued to voters based on the voter's political party affiliation.

Numerous voters have voiced their frustrations to me that they feel they can't vote for the candidate they want, because the candidate is affiliated with a different political party. So, here's my advance notice to you that if you want to change political parties for the February Primary Election, you must complete a new voter registration card, including your new political party.

Voter registration cards can be found at post offices throughout the county, the Clerk's Office, at 510 N. Main Street, Yreka, or on-line at www.sos.ca.gov.

You have until January 21, 2008 to change your political party for the February Primary Election.

The February primary brings up a new concern for me - traveling in adverse weather conditions. My concern for your safety leads me to suggest that you consider voting by mail. Stay in the warmth and comfort of your own home to vote!

If you're not already an absentee voter, you must complete an application form, which is available now in the Clerk's Office, 510 N. Main Street, Yreka, and on our website at www.co.siskiyou.ca. And of course, an application for an absentee ballot will be sent to you as part of the sample ballot book mailed to you in late December.

There will be several new polling places in place for the February election.

Precincts with new polling places include Lake Shastina, which will be voting at the Lake Shastina Community Church Educational Building.

Quartz Valley has been relocated to the Scott Valley Grange Hall in Greenview, and voters in Montague will once again be voting at the Montague Community Center Building.

Also, due to a lack of an available public building and voter population the Warren Precinct, located on the outskirts of Weed, it has been designated as a vote-by-mail precinct.

A couple of final notes - during the month of October, the County Clerk's Office hours will be 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Also, we are looking for temporary workers to assist in the office for the February election. The temp positions will start the first part of January and last through February. Hours will flex from 8-hour days to 4 hours per day, depending on the assignment. If you're interested in one of these temporary election positions, give me a call at the Clerk's Office at 842-8084.

Colleen