If you haven’t heard, the general election is right around the corner.

A sign of this is about to hit the mailbox of registered voters across Utah as ballots are set to be sent out Tuesday.

Weber County Clerk/Auditor Ricky Hatch recently spoke with the Standard-Examiner about important dates to know and making sure the process of counting those votes is a transparent one.

“The registration deadline for a voter to receive a ballot by mail is 10/25 by 5 p.m., but voters can always register in person at a polling location on Election Day,” Hatch said in an email to the Standard-Examiner.

He further added that voter registration is open to all Weber County residents who are:

• Citizens of the United States;

• Residents of Utah for at least 30 days prior to Election Day;

• At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the general election;

• Residing at the address where they are registering.

16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register to vote and will automatically be sent a ballot when they officially become eligible to vote

Hatch said residents can register to vote online at vote.utah.gov or register in person at the Clerk/Auditor’s office. Registration forms can also be found at Weber County library locations or city offices.

To check one’s voting status, visit https://votesearch.utah.gov/.

In addition to mailing in ballots, voters also have the option of dropping them off in secure drop boxes that are located at every city hall, library and on the Weber State University campus. To find the nearest one, visit https://www.weberelections.gov/ballotdropboxes-pollinglocations.

For those preferring to vote in person early, early voting will be available at the Weber Center from Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from noon-6 p.m. each day.

For those who prefer to vote on Election Day, Weber County voters can go to the Exhibit Hall at the Weber County Fairgrounds or the Ogden Valley Library in Huntsville on Nov. 5 from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Once the votes are cast, Hatch said several measures have been implemented to prevent fraud.

“Every voter’s envelope gets a unique number to ensure they can only vote once,” he said. “Ballots are processed by at least two election judges, who are trained and sworn in. Trained workers compare every voter’s signature to the signatures we have on file.

Ballot processing is open to the public. Multiple audits are performed in public before, during, and after the election.”

He said the machinery used to count those votes is in good hands as well.

“All equipment is certified by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC),” he said. “Machines are never connected to the internet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Every machine is audited at least twice during each election in public meetings.”

Hatch added that the county is doing all it can to keep the process transparent.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure your vote is secure and is counted accurately,” he said. “Anyone is welcome to observe our processes at any time.”

For more information, including info about candidates in various races, visit https://vote.utah.gov/.