Despite low turnout, primaries run smooth
Turnout may have been low, but optimism for the process was high in the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk's office on Tuesday as voters took to the polls.
Only 12.74% of registered voters cast ballots in Oktibbeha County for Tuesday's primary election, which included the presidential primary races.
Circuit Clerk Tony Rook said the election went smoothly, noting it was one of the most seamless elections since he was elected cir- ROOK cuit clerk. It also marked his
first experience with a presidential primary.
“Everything went very well,” Rook said. “Even though this was the first presidential election since I have been circuit clerk, we have had several other elections that have helped to prepare us for this particular election.”
After having run several elections in the county, Rook said he believes they have learned from their experiences and worked to improve the local election process as much as possible.
“I would say I cut my teeth on those first three or four elections, and what I learned from those elections helped to make this one a smoother process,” Rook said. "Hopefully, we will learn from every election and that helps us have smoother elections in the future.”
Few issues plagued the election, Rook said, but they did face typical problems, such as an individual moving and failing to notify the court of their new address.
“Other than that, it was essentially seamless,” Rook said.
While Rook noted the low turnout did play a factor in the elections' overall success, he attributes the majority of the success to the election workers.
“Turnout was lower than some of our previous elections, and that always plays a factor,” Rook said. “However, I would attribute much of the success to the hard work and dedication of our poll workers, to our election commissioners and to the circuit court staff who always do an exceptional job.”
The number of participating voters was lower than expected, but Rook said primary elections tend to draw a smaller crowd.
“We thought it would be slightly higher, but it is a primary and you never see the numbers in a primary that you will see in a general election,” Rook said. “Now, we do expect the general election in November to be substantially higher as far as turnout is concerned.”
One of the challenges in November, Rook noted, will be balancing an election with a term of court, which starts Oct. 19 and lasts for three weeks. That is immediately followed by a civil trial that is expected to take place the week of Nov. 9 through 13.
Rook estimated that during an election, poll workers average 14 to 16 hours, working from 6 a.m. until the polls close at 7 p.m. and then counting absentee ballots from 7 p.m. until finished. The other members of the circuit court staff, he estimates, work close to 24 hours.
“Of course high turnout always leads to more stress for everyone,” Rook said. “The poll workers and staff put in extremely long days, and these other extenuating circumstances will present us with some challenges when it comes to manpower.”
In preparation for November's General Election, Rook said they have a strict protocol to follow and he will be in constant contact with the election commissioners.
“We will discuss the upcoming election at least once a week between here and November, and we will prepare to hit the ground running and be ready for a large turnout,” Rook said. “A lot of time goes into ensuring that the process is as seamless as possible.”