Election officials hope you'll head to the polls

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The statewide primary election is just a week away. Voters in Fresno County are casting their vote on everything from the governor to local leadership.

The machines are whirring at the Fresno County elections office, as the mail in ballots are processed. Local residents like Gene Griffith are also taking time to cast their vote early.

"Because I've never missed voting," said Griffith. "So I decided since I can't vote next Tuesday in the precincts, I'd better come down and do it here."

Voters will have a wide variety of items to vote for from the governor's race to county officers to some school district bond measures. But one race has perked Griffith's interest and vote: the district attorney's position.

"It's kind of a volatile, highly contentious race and people are kind of interested, one way or the other," explained Griffith.

Elections officials say every vote counts and they're hoping residents turn out.

Fresno County Clerk Brandi Orth said, "The presidential year is of course the big turnout year, the gubernatorial year is historically a little less in the past few primary elections for governor it's been between 28 and 30 percent turnout."

Orth wants to remind residents to make sure they properly fill out their forms, sign their names and only vote for one candidate to make sure their vote counts.

"Every single candidate regardless of their party is on their ballot," said Orth. "All you have to do is vote for one. so when the state tabulates all of those results, the top two vote getters, regardless of their party will go on to November election."

Come this Tuesday, election officials say they'll be ready for voters at polls across Fresno County and in downtown; they'll also have a drop off locations for those ballots.