BOE Director Rebecca Hall explains how the ballot counts are cross-checked for accuracy.
By Becky Long
Publisher
The 2026 primary election results are official after the Clay County Board of Elections canvassed the election Friday morning.
After auditing the ballots in the hand to eye count, voting machine receipts and voter history, all were found to be accurate, according to BOE Director Rebecca hall.
Officially, local turnout was 30.5 percent, still notably low considering several local contests were on the ballot.
The 30.5 percent accounts for the 2,945 voters, out of 10,200 who were registered.
As far as how people voted, only 12 were absentee, 14 were provisionals, 1,619 came from early voting and 1,300 voted on election day.
Of the ballots requested, 577 were Democrat ballots compared to 2,368 Republican. Unaffiliated may choose which party ballot to vote in the primary, but may not vote both.
The upcoming Board of Elections budget was briefly discussed, including a few anticipated expenses.
Hall said it may become necessary to upgrade the Auto Marks voting machines purchased in the early 2000s.
She said upgrades would most likely cost $47,000 but pointed out the machines are important because they provide handicap access voting, including braille. This is required by the American Disabilities Act.
In other budget-related matters, Hall suggested:
• A pay increase for poll workers. Hall pointed out these workers have not had a raise since the 2011-12 election.
• Hall also wants to add GPS tracking in the voting equipment for security purposes. She said there have been no problems so far, but advised this would provide more security. Each GPS tracking device is $18 apiece plus subscription costs.
“You can cancel the subscription when not in use,” she said.