Club election interest spikes; more absentee ballots requested than votes cast in previous years

This year's election for National Press Club officers and governors is shaping up not only as one of the most hotly contested in memory but also as one attracting intense member interest.

As of 4:55 p.m. Dec. 7, a total of 401 absentee ballots have been requested -- roughly twice the number of ballots as the number of votes normally cast in Club elections.

Some 173 of 271 absentee ballots issued to Journalist members have been returned. Communicator members have requested 130 ballots, and 81 ballots have been returned.

Members may vote today (Thursday, Dec. 8) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the library. Polls will open Friday, Dec. 9, in the Zenger Room at 8 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Votes will be counted immediately after the polls close.

A list of candidates, candidate statements and links to both the presidential and communicator debases may be found at http://press.org/membership/elections. You'll have to log in to access them.