More than 80 percent of the county's registered voters are expected to vote Tuesday and that would be a record, Kern elections officers said Monday.
Chief Deputy Registrar Sandy Brockman was staying late at the office Monday. She and her staff were preparing for the high volume of voters expected to cast their ballots Tuesday.
A record number of absentee ballots have been issued.
"We issued 141,000 and have 92,000 returned," said Brockman. She said that number is a sure sign that Tuesday's turnout will be strong.
However, there are a few things you need to know before you head to the polls.
"Oprah Winfrey has announced to her audience to go to the polls and take a picture of your ballot. You cannot take a picture of your ballot," Brockman said.
In addition to not taking pictures, you cannot wear any campaign materials, or use your cell phone. Also, you should bring photo identification to verify who you are on the roster.
Each polling site will have one touch-screen machine per precinct. The Fairgrounds site, however, covers 10 precincts and will have 10 touch-screen machines. Voters may use the machines but Brockman says you will probably have to wait in line. Twice as many ballots were cast by electronic voting last June compared to paper ballots.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Your polling site is listed on the back of the sample ballot mailed to you.
