A guide to voting on Tuesday

If past history is any indication, Ely area voters will turn out in force for Tuesday’s primary election.Some, no doubt, will be first-time voters.Others may not be familiar with the rules associated with a primary election.Combine that with a limited amount of pre-election advertising and voter education and some voters may be confused, perhaps even apprehensive, about going out and casting a ballot this week.Here’s a guide to what voters, either those who don’t miss an election or folks coming out for the first time, can expect.Where to votePolling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.Those outside of Ely vote at their respective town or city hall. Winton and Fall Lake buildings are located within their respective areas, while the Morse Town Hall is on Ely’s Central Avenue, next to the golf course.Ely is divided into four precincts - the Community Center, Government Services Building (former JFK school), Pioneer Apartments and Sibley Manor.City residents uncertain about where to vote can check a precinct map that’s posted at the city hall, or they can call the clerk’s office at 365-3224 with any questions.Who may voteAnyone at least age 18 can cast a ballot, as long as they’ve been a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days.Those who’ve voted here before have their names registered on sheets at their respective polling place.Persons may register to vote Tuesday, as long as they bring a current photo identifications.Those with a driver’s license bearing an old address should bring either a current cable bill or utility bill to verify their address.“If they don’t have any of these, they can vote if there is a person who is already registered in that precinct that can vouch for them,” said Patti Wellvang, Ely’s deputy clerk.How to voteThe rules of the primary are rigid and those who don’t follow them will have t heir ballots thrown out.Crossing party lines is not allowed. Voters may cast ballots for candidates in either the Democrat or Republican primaries.Voters do not have to declare their party identification when they get their ballot.All voters will receive one ballot, and all of the races contested are listed.Voters may cast ballots on the Republican side or the Democrat side, but not both.“You can only vote one ticket and you can’t have any write-ins and you can not cross over,” said Wellvang.In Ely, greeting judges will be on hand to explain the rules and show sample ballots.In addition to the primary balloting for state and federal offices, Ely voters also cast ballots in the non-partisan primaries for mayor and city council.