Fresno County gearing up for June 7 primaries

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno County is gearing up for the June 7 Presidential Primaries, but the sorting and counting has already begun.

More than 30,000 mail-in votes are being processed at the Fresno County Elections Warehouse.

County clerk Brandi Orth says this election year they're taking a proactive approach to what's expected to be a large voter turnout.

"We've been watching activity throughout the nation," she said. "We know that registration is up. There have been lines at polling locations."

In 2008, Fresno County had about an 80 percent voter turn out so this year they're adding 30 more polling places.

In total, Fresno County voters will be sent to 291 polling places which means a call for more staffing and more precinct officers.

"For this election, we need about 1,800 precinct officers," Orth explained. "It's a paying job, $150 for the day."

Dozens spent Thursday training for the job that also serves as a lesson in civics.

County clerk officials say the most frequently asked question regarding voting has been about party affiliation.

"If you are a non-partisan voter you may ask for a Democratic, Independent or Libertarian ballot with those candidates," Orth said. "But everybody else has to vote in the party to which they're registered"

The deadline to change parties was May 23.

For a list of polling locations, click here.