Hospital mail-in ballots show 25% return so far

    At the end of the day Monday, 25% of Chase County voters have already cast their ballot on a $20.5 million hospital bond question.
    A total of 2,481 ballots were mailed to registered voters the week of April 22. Since then, another seven people have registered to vote, according to the county clerk’s office.
    People can still register in person at the clerk’s office to vote in the bond election. The registration deadline is 6 p.m. this Friday.
    The clerk’s office will remain open until 6 p.m. Friday evening to accommodate anyone wanting to register prior to the deadline.
Ballot reminders
    The clerk’s office wants to remind voters that they must fill out and sign the back of ballot envelopes for the enclosed ballot to be valid.
    Wendy Moe of the clerk’s office said they have gotten a number of ballot envelopes that have come in without the election language on the back filled out and signed.
    A signature is needed to validate the ballot was completed by the registered voter.
    She said they have contacted  voters, requesting they come back in and fill out the form.
    Follow-up will not be possible for ballots submitted right before the deadline.
    All ballots, either by mail or dropped off in person, must be in the clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, to be counted.
    With a mail-in ballot, voter signatures must be verified against registration records. If the signature can’t be verified, the clerk’s office will contact the voter to ascertain whether the voter cast a ballot. A new signature card may also be required.