Blank ballot part of life in tiny towns

4/1/2009
WALDO — Folks here pick their leaders without the formality of filing fees and candidate names printed on ballots.

The write-in form of choosing a mayor and city council is the method most commonly used at Waldo.

“Whoever gets wrote in the most is on the council,” said Albert Clow, mayor of Waldo, population “around 35.” He’s been the mayor since 1997.

That’s also the norm in Paradise, population 60 or less. Both towns are in northern Russell County. For Tuesday’s election, no names will be listed on the ballot for city council or mayor in either town. Voters will pencil in their picks when they enter the voting booths, which in each town are in former school buildings.

“It’s just a personal preference for them,” said Mary Nuss, Russell County clerk. “It doesn’t matter to me. Whether they do it by write-in or file, my job is to tally the votes, however they turn them in.”



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