OGDEN — The primary election is next week and precious little time remains to turn in ballots by the Tuesday deadline.

Weber County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch told the Standard-Examiner there are a few things to be aware of as ballots are completed in Weber County.

“We’re now a ballot-enhanced state, meaning that ballots have to be in the clerk’s possession — which can mean drop boxes as well — as of the close of polls, which is 8 p.m. on election night. That’s been in place about a year.”

He said another item that had been optional on last year’s ballot is now mandatory.

“The other big change — probably the biggest change on the return envelope — you now have to put the last four digits of your Social (Security number) or driver’s license. Last year it was optional. We did it last year because we wanted to test out the design of the envelope. Now it’s required.”

Hatch also noted that drop boxes throughout the area are very secure.

“We have elections teams that pick up the drop boxes,” he said. “They’re under 24-7 video surveillance so we have full chain of custody over that over those ballots.”

He said that turnout for this year’s primary election is expected to be around 30%-40%, which he said was better than other states that don’t primarily use mail-in ballots.

“That’s double to triple what the nationwide average is for states that are not vote-by-mail because vote-by-mail does increase turnout, especially in low turnout elections,” he said. “So I’d say research your candidate. There’s lots of information there available online.”

For those who do choose to vote in-person on election day, the Weber Center in Ogden and Weber County Ogden Valley Branch Library will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday.

For more information on drop box locations and other ballot questions, visit https://www.weberelections.gov/.