Warren reports smooth Election Day in Wilson County

Wilson County Administrator of Elections Phillip Warren was pleased Wednesday with how Election Day went, and he credits months of prep work for the smooth finish.

He said voter turnout was about as expected.

"It was good; it was pretty much equal to the turnout in 2008," Warren said, adding the high number of early voters - 42 percent of registered voters - "absolutely" made the election go more smoothly.

"There weren't long lines; I didn't have anyone complain of long lines," he added. "For Wilson County, it was pretty easy to vote."

Warren said 51,715 of the county’s 75,824 registered voters, or 68.2 percent, cast ballots Tuesday. Those voters had an easy day.

"We really had a smooth day; the biggest issues we had were people who had to be redirected to other precincts because they had changed their address since they voted last," he said. "But as far as equipment and procedures, we had a great day."

He said frequent media coverage of the new law requiring voters to have photo identification was effective.

"In Wilson County we had no issues with that at all," Warren said.

Now that Election Day 2012 has passed, Warren and company have no time to rest on their laurels.

"We've got lots of things to do," he said. "List maintenance is probably the top priority. We have to go back through the cards of registered voters and update to reflect the redistricting of last year. Plus, we have to do other things to take people off the rolls that haven't voted in the last two federal elections."

He said keeping abreast of all these housecleaning chores sets the stage for the next election.

"It's something you do to build the next election to make sure it goes smoothly," he said. "If you don't do that, you get people trying to vote where they shouldn't."

He wanted to remind voters that if they move or change their address, they must register at their new address.

"Just like you change you're driver's license or electric bill," Warren said. "There's a 90-day window where you can vote at your old precinct, if it's past that you're out of luck."

Reflecting on Tuesday's election, Warren said he couldn't be more pleased.  

"It was a great day, a busy day, but by 9 p.m. we were through," he said. "We've got some great workers and they are well trained. Planning and procedure never go wrong if you do enough of them."

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.