Weber County officials discuss election preparations, federal concerns

OGDEN — Election eve started early for poll workers across the state.

"It's the Super Bowl for us," Weber County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch said. "We were up at 6:30 a.m. setting up the county voting center. We care so much that we get the election right."

Hatch and other election workers assembled 100 voting booths at the Weber County Fairgrounds.

"The best case scenario is a completely boring election. We love boring elections when the voters show up, cast their ballots, we count them and everything is good because we have put in the teamwork and preparation," Hatch said. "This election cycle has come with outside complications we've never faced before."

Hatch noted the federal government has taken a new role: threatening instead of supporting.

Ten days ago, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Utah's top election official, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, that sought Utah voters' sensitive private information. The Department of Justice had demanded voters' full names, dates of birth, residential addresses, state driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers.

Additionally, worries have grown about the Trump administration deploying the military and/or federal immigration officers to the polls.

"This election we have been pretty worried about what the federal government might do. Normally we look to them as a partner and a support. This year has been a struggle: seeing them as a threat," Hatch said.

As of Monday morning, Weber County's voter turnout was 38%, which is on par with midterm elections.

"We're on track for about a 60 to 65% voter turnout by completion," Hatch said. "Come vote early on Election Day. You never know what the lines are going to be like in the evening."

The polls open at 7 a.m. Ballots will be counted if received by 8 p.m. In-person polls will remain open until everyone in line by 8 p.m. has had a chance to cast their vote.

"We have tens of thousands of ballots that will be coming in, and our election workers give each ballot the same level of scrutiny, security, time and effort," Hatch said.

Election officials noted that ballots dropped later on Election Day may not be counted until Wednesday.

Click here to follow real-time election results on KSL.com.

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