Putnam Election Commission Preparing For November Election

With the August Election less than five days past, the Putnam County Election Commission began work Tuesday on the November election.

Director Michele Honeycutt said after seeing a voter response increase in August, more employees are needed.

“We’re going to try to get more workers because we do believe with bigger crowds we’re going to need more people working, so we are trying to do that,” Honeycutt said. “We are probably going to have to have more spacing because we do expect there to be longer lines.”

Honeycutt said early voting prevents longer lines during election day. She said anyone as young as 16 can work at the election commission.

During the Tuesday meeting, issues such as relocating ballot machines and space measurement errors were discussed. Honeycutt said election commissioners feel more prepared after resolving these pop-up issues during the August election.

Although large turnouts are expected in November, Honeycutt said there’s already reports of larger than normal turnouts. During the August election, a 26 percent voter turnout was reported. Honeycutt said four years ago that percentage was just at 12.

A 64 percent voter turnout with over 27,000 votes were counted for the November 2016 election in Putnam County.