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SALT LAKE CITY — Many Utahns have already earned their “I Voted” sticker, but there's good news for those who have not had time to register to vote: residents in Salt Lake, Weber, Davis and Kane counties can register to vote at any polling location they go to on Tuesday.
Thanks to a three-year pilot program approved by Utah's legislature, same-day voter registration is already helping Utahns short on time, polling workers say.
Polling locations around the state are also reporting a bigger turnout than the primary elections in June.
“It's been a steady flow all morning long,” said poll worker Mariana Ahlers at the St. Ann's Catholic School polling location. “We had people here before we opened, which, that's rare for this location.”
And Utahns are hitting the polls with particular politicians in mind.
“I just wanted to make sure I voted against the incumbent attorney general,” said Carl Clark, a voter in the second congressional district.
Voter Perry Hacker lives in the fourth congressional district and has been paying close attention to the Doug Owens and Mia Love race.
"I voted for Doug Owens because I just like the things that he says better,” Hacker said. “I just don't like Mia Love. I think she's a Tea Party mouthpiece and that scares me."
Hacker also came to vote to support the zoos, arts and parks tax.
“I'm for the ZAP tax,” he said. “I think we're constantly taking money away from arts and things that make people happy.”
First time voter Emir Galicia says it's important for him to know who will be talking his issues to Washington.
“When they get to Washington, whomever it is that gets to Washington, don't forget us,” Galicia said.
But no matter what the outcome is in Tuesday's elections, voters in Salt Lake City say just getting out and casting their ballot is the most important thing they can do to make a difference.
Voter who want to complete same-day registration must have a valid I.D. and show proof of residency. If the pilot program is successful, it could become available to Utahns across the state.
For polling locations nearest to you, visit vote.utah.gov.
Contributing: Tracie Snowder
