Voter turnout is expected to be low in the upcoming election that could raise property taxes to fund the Durango Fire Protection District.
Durango School District 9-R board of directors has three seats up for election, but only District E, which includes the area northeast of downtown and east of the Animas River, is contested.
In the Bayfield School District, three people are running for two seats on the board.
As of Tuesday, 5,316 ballots had been returned, or about 15 percent of active voters in areas with eligible electors, La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker said. About 3,032 voters in the Ignacio area did not receive ballots, because they have no candidates or ballot issues in that part of the county, she said.
Parker said she hopes to see a 30 percent voter turnout, which would be fairly standard for an election with only local questions.
“The turnout is historically very low,” she said.
In 2016, a presidential election year, the turnout was about 84 percent of active voters.
Monday was the last day to mail in a ballot. For those who have not cast their votes, four 24-hour ballot drop-off locations are available for voters in the coming week leading up to Nov. 7.
“The majority of the voters are already using drop boxes,” Parker said.
The election could cost about $60,000, which is a rough estimate at this point, Parker said.
The cost will be split by the city, fire district and school boards based on the number of eligible voters each one is polling, she said.
The cost of the election will not be split with the state, because there are no statewide questions on the ballot this year, Parker said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
To drop off your ballot
Four 24-hour ballot drop-off locations will be open through Nov. 7:
La Plata County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 98 Everett St., Suite C, Durango.
Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield.
La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East Second Ave., Durango.
Farmer’s Fresh Market, 535 Goddard Ave., Ignacio.
Three voter service and polling centers will be set up to help with voter registration, replacement ballots, ballot drop-off, in-person voting and voting machines for people with disabilities.
The La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Nov. 3.
The clerk’s office will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 4 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6.
On Election Day, Nov. 7, the clerk’s office will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bayfield Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
Bayfield Town Hall will also be open from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 4 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6.
On Election Day, Nov. 7, Bayfield Town Hall will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A ballot drop box will be available at the La Plata County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 7.
