Record number of Rio Blanco County voters cast ballots in Nov. 4 election
RBC — Rio Blanco County voters turned out in record numbers for last week’s general election.
“As far as record turnout, 2004 was higher by 1 percent, with 87 percent,” said County Clerk Nancy Amick. “The turnout percentage was higher in 2004, but 2008 saw record numbers. We beat 2004 by 130 voters.”
Many of those record number of voters chose to vote by mail-in ballot.
“It was a record turnout for mail-in voting,” Amick said. “But 2004 saw higher numbers for early voters (744). The length of the ballot seems the logical explanation for that shift in type of voting.”
The lengthy ballot and the number of early voters kept Amick and her staff busy, particularly in the weeks and days leading up to the election.
“Things went smoothly due to a wonderful group of election judges and my dedicated staff,” Amick said. “I hope the public realizes the time and effort they put into the process.”
On Election Day, the voting process went smoothly in both Meeker and Rangely, but a snowstorm that night in the eastern part of the county caused delays in tabulating results.
“We certainly did not anticipate the whiteout conditions between here and Rangely that delayed receiving their returns by two to two and one-half hours,” Amick said.
