INDEPENDENTS MUST ASK FOR BALLOT - Poll Workers Can't Offer "Help," 700 Independents Registered In Calhoun

(05/07/2008)

Democrats are now allowing Independents to vote in the state's Primary Election, May 13th. County Clerk Richard Kirby says some voters have been baffled during early voting when they ask for an Independent ballot, and are only given a school board ballot. "We (poll workers) are not allowed to tell them they have to ASK for a Democrat or a Republican Ballot, making their choice," Kirby said. The state's Independents have been able to vote in Republican primaries for six years, 2008 will mark the first time they will be able to mark a Democratic ballot as that party has opened up its primary to Independents for the first time. Kirby said some voters rightfully seem baffled and a few appeared angry. "We're just not allowed to ask, which ballot do you want," Kirby said. "I called the Secretary of State's office to make sure what we are to do," he said. If you are registered as an Independent, you can vote for anybody, BUT you have to ask for a Democrat or Republican ballot. Poll workers are just not allowed to ask "Which ballot do you want?" Party affiliation makes no difference at all to voters in the General Election. The number of Independent voters is increasing in the Mountain State. There are about 700 Independent voters registered in Calhoun.

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