With the state’s primary election approaching, State Election Director David Turner is calling on voters to get prepared and informed ahead of the crucial vote. During a recent interview on Regional News Hour, Turner discussed upcoming election-related legislation, ongoing voter engagement initiatives, and addressed the state’s approach to voter ID laws.
The primary election, scheduled for March 10, will feature key races for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats. Voters wishing to cast an in-person absentee ballot must do so by Saturday, March 7. All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day.
“These are incredibly important elections, not just for our state but for the entire nation,” Turner emphasized.
Turner encouraged residents to utilize the Election Day Toolkit available on the Election Office’s website, which allows voters to print sample ballots and review candidate information before heading to the polls.
“It’s important that people are taking the time to learn about the candidates and the issues, so they can make informed choices at the ballot box,” Turner said.
Turner’s office has rolled out several programs to boost voter participation, particularly among younger voters.
“We’re starting with young people, making sure they understand the significance of elections and why their voices matter,” Turner noted.
The “Engage the Vote” campaign conducts mock elections at schools, while an ambassador program selects high school seniors to learn about the election process and lead voter registration drives in their schools. Turner’s office also hosts an “Elections 101” campaign, visiting colleges and community events to promote voter registration and educate the public about the voting process.
Turner highlighted pending legislation in the state legislature that would allow absentee voters to submit their ballots directly into a voting machine, rather than relying on envelopes. The State Clerks Association has advocated for this change, citing cases where ballots were disqualified due to technical errors with absentee ballot envelopes.
“Whatever the outcome regarding envelopes, my focus is on ensuring the process remains secure and every valid vote is counted,” Turner said. “No matter who casts the ballot, I want to make sure it’s done correctly and according to the law.”
Turner expressed support for the proposed federal VOTER Act, which would require voters to present both identification and proof of citizenship. He noted that the primary consideration would be how such requirements are implemented at the state level, should the law pass Congress.
“Showing identification and proving citizenship should be straightforward requirements,” Turner stated.
He added that the state already has robust voter ID laws and a proof-of-citizenship process, verifying registrants’ information against secure federal databases, including the VOTER verification system.
“Only United States citizens should be participating in our elections,” Turner said.
