Editor:
The cartoon (by Joel Mielke, Aug. 30) depicting the three people who failed to secure valid signatures for the Arcata City Council ballot pokes fun at the filers, but begs the question: who signed their petitions and what does this say about the random citizen’s awareness of their voter registration status?
I am guessing the majority of the folks who signed on in support of the candidates thought they were qualified to sign, yet for a variety of reasons, this was not the case. Does this mean that come Election Day there will unpleasant surprises for people who will discover their registration is invalid and thus they will be unable to vote?
Maybe a follow up story explaining requirements for citizens to actually cast a ballot on Election Day would be a public service. The fact that three petitions failed to pass muster indicates citizens might need to evaluate their voter eligibility before Nov. 6.
Sheila Evans, Eureka
This article appears in The Mormon Moment.
Good point, Sheila Evans. Voters might want to check on their voter registration before October 22nd – the last day to register or re-register for the November 6th election. Voters can verify that they are registered at the Elections Department website: http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/elections/
If they have had a change of residence address or name, they must re-register before the close of business on October 22nd. Voter Registration forms are available at post offices, libraries and, of course, at the Humboldt County Elections Office, 3033 H Street, Eureka.
Voters now have the option of receiving their sample ballot electronically. A little less paper to recycle after the election. Go to the Elections department’s website to opt out of receiving a paper sample ballot. For the Novmeber election, you must out-out by September 13th.
I have been a poll-worker on several occasions at several precincts in Humboldt and have been (unpleasantly) surprised at how many potential voters did not know the name and/or address under which they were registered or their assigned precinct. It seems that casting a vote was a last minute decision with no preparation required.