Preparations underway for Boone County special election

Boone County poll workers spent all week going through a refresher training for the upcoming special election.

“Normally we go a little more in depth,” said Boone County Clerk Taylor Burks. “But since we still had a special election in August, we’re using the same pool of judges and giving them the opportunity to remind themselves about state law, photo ID and how to use the poll pads to check voters in.”

On Tuesday, Boone County voters will decide whether or not to allow the county to collect a use tax on out of state purchases. Columbia, Ashland and Harrisburg residents will also vote on a use tax issue.

Burks said the clerk’s office will have more than 200 poll workers at 43 polling locations on Tuesday. He said the polling locations are the same as in the August special election, but still advised voters to double check their polling locations.

Burks said he’s expecting a low turnout for the second special election of 2017.

“You’re just not seeing any campaigns for or against it,” he said. “Some people are talking about it, but largely you will see higher turnout when you see big campaigns that get people involved and interested. I would be surprised if we hit 10 percent.”

About 14 percent of Boone County voters showed up to the polls in August.

Burks said he expects Tuesday’s special election to cost about $200,000. He said the clerk’s office was trying to cut costs from the August election, which cost about $217,000, by scaling back on the number of poll workers.

Absentee voting begins Saturday. Voters can cast their ballots at the Boone County Government Center at 801 E. Walnut Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.