Voting challenges due to fewer polling stations

FRESNO, California

"Do I put it in here? Is it signed? Yes, they're signed. Everything is done."

Elvire Gonzalez of Fresno spent Saturday afternoon ... casting her vote ahead of Tuesday's primary election.

"Few minutes out of your time and that's it."

Gonzalez says she voted early because she'll be busy Tuesday, volunteering her time as a poll worker.

Morris Jennings of Fresno will be out of town at his grandson's high school graduation. He too, cast his ballot Saturday ... something he feels privileged to do every election year.

"For me, being African American. The history that we've had in this country, I wouldn't dare not vote. All of the blood we shed because we were trying to fight for the right to vote."

The Fresno County Registrar's Office opened its doors Saturday to make the voting process easier and encourage more people to get involved. But, county clerk Victor Salazar that's been a difficult task due to the state's economic crisis.

"Our budget has been reduced for the last five years and there will be 64 fewer polling places and 600 fewer poll workers this election as compared with the November general election."

Salazar says he anticipates between 30 and 32-percent of Fresno county voters will turn out for Tuesday's election, a response he hopes will grow over the next few days.

"This is the voters' opportunity to make their voices heard."

"If we wanna have a say in our government how our lives our run, we better vote."

The registrar's office says most people vote by absentee ballot. Of the more than 162 thousand that have been sent out this year ... about 55,000 have been turned in. And, of course, ballots will be accepted at the registrar's office until Tuesday at 8pm.