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CITY, N.D. – (NewsDakota.com) It appears that the Barnes County Commission was generally pleased with the new vote-by-mail method and having one polling place located inside the Barnes County Courthouse during the two elections held in 2016.

But Commissioner John Froehlich said their needs to be a little more education for the public on the new voting method in the future.

Commissioner Rodger Berntson believes the new voting process worked smoothly this year.

Commissioner Froehlich asked if the polling place should be moved out of the courthouse next time to alleviate waiting and long lines. Commissioner Berntson said the polling place should remain in the courthouse.

Auditor Beth Didier says the county saved $25,000 using the new vote-by-mail method.
She says 3,185 absentee or vote-by-mail ballots were cast in this year’s general election.

In Barnes County, a total of 5,451 ballots were cast in the November 8th 2016 general election compared to 5,341 in the 2014 general election.