slideshow

The Union County Action Network is offering the public the opportunity to practice voting with the touchscreen machines that will be used to cast ballots in the November general election.

Action Network member Ann Stevens said Monday that the network is offering an instructional program in how to use the touchscreen machines through Sept. 10. The program will be offered Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the network’s offices at 103 E. Main St., Union, and at other times by appointment.

Stevens said the program is designed to help members of the public who may not be familiar with the machines become comfortable in using them. She said the instructor conducting the program will take participants step-by-step through the electronic voting process.

“We’re making an electronic voting machine available to anyone who wants to come in and learn how to use it,” Stevens said. “It’s to help those who may not be familiar with the machines learn how to use it and make them feel comfortable using it at the polls.”

Instructor Shirley Gist said there will be no names of any candidates on the screen during the training process. Instead, participants will vote on questions such as what is their favorite football team and given choices such as Clemson and Carolina. Gist said she would also show participants how to use the machine to cast a write-in vote as well as to vote on the choices offered.

The training sessions are free.

For more information about the training program call 427-6281.

Convention Tickets

In addition to being a member of the Union County Action Network, Stevens is also chair of the Union County Democratic Party. The party’s headquarters is located at 103 E. Main St., Union, sharing the space with the Union County Action Network.

Earlier this month, Stevens announced that the Union County Democratic Party had requested 100 tickets to the final night of the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating convention on Sept. 6 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The evening will see both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden accept the party’s nomination for a second term and make their acceptance speeches.

Stevens said the purpose of the tickets, which are free, is to give Union County residents what could be their only opportunity to attend a presidential convention. Plans are for those who receive the tickets to travel to the convention aboard chartered buses as no personal vehicles will be allowed at the stadium due to security concerns. While the tickets are free, there will be a charge of $25 per person to cover the cost of transportation.

“We have 19 tickets left,” Stevens said Monday. “This Wednesday, Aug. 22, is the deadline to secure your ticket and seat on the bus. We’re taking them on a first-come, first-serve basis.”

If you want to attend the Democratic National Convention, call the Union County Democratic Party, 103 E. Main St., Union, at 427-6281, 427-6887, or 424-9288 or email at aste201@bellsouth.net.