Municipal Elections Today

11.03.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) The polls are open today across Salt Lake County for municipal elections. County Clerk Sherrie Swensen is expecting low turnout.  She says it’s unfortunate that voters typically don’t participate in these off-year elections for city mayors, council members and municipal bonds.

“The city council and city mayors have jurisdiction over the city budgets. Also, police, fire protection, snow removal, development within the city, and so they are very important elections,” Swensen says, “and it is a shame that people aren’t more enthused about participating in this type of election.”

This is also the first general election taking place under a new law that requires voters to bring identification to the polls.

Swensen doesn’t expect there will be longer waits or confusion about the new law. But she says people should be aware of it.

“You know, it’s a change for some people. Most people have ID,” Swensen says. “There might be some people that are a little caught off guard on this. So we just want them to be aware that it is a requirement and to be prepared.”

Voters who forget to bring a valid ID will be able to vote with a provisionary ballot and bring their identification to their city recorder’s office or the county clerk’s office to have it counted. Click here to find out more information on the new ID requirement and polling locations.