Astute Clark County voters may be a little confused if they examine their ballots for this upcoming Election Day.
As many know, for the first time ballots in the state include paid return postage. Voters can still drop off their ballots in designated boxes, or simply drop them in the mailbox.
But as some residents pointed out, the instructional language on the secrecy envelopes was contradictory.
The envelopes instruct residents to include “sufficient first-class mail postage” on their return envelope. The return envelope, of course, notes postage is not required.
Auditor Greg Kimsey said the language isn’t a mistake, but rather an effort to save money.
“We are using up our inventory of these old secrecy envelopes so that we don’t waste the money we spent on those,” Kimsey said.
The primary election actually featured contradictory language on the instructional pamphlet, as well.
“We believed there was enough information elsewhere (e.g. voters’ pamphlet, front of return envelope) that voters would understand they did not need to put a stamp on the return envelope,” he said.
Based on the number of returned ballots with stamps, Kimsey said their assumption appears to be correct.
This election, about 10 people have reached out to the elections office seeking clarity.
To be clear, ballots mailed this election do not require postage. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 6 or they can be submitted until 8 p.m. Nov. 6.
Voter turnout is still up this year, as compared to the 2014 midterm election. As of Monday, 22 percent of eligible voters had returned their ballots. That figure was only 16 percent in 2014.
