Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Mar 16

CSi Weather….

.TONIGHT…Cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the upper 20s. Southeast winds around 5 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the lower 40s. North winds 5 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. North

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northeast winds

5 to 10 mph shifting to the east in the afternoon.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain. Highs in

the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain in the

evening, then slight chance of rain possibly mixed with snow

after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation

20 percent.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain possibly mixed with

snow in the morning, then chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs

in the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Tonight, March 16 and tomorrow night, March 17, 2021; City crews will be out street sweeping in the downtown district. This will take place at 12:00 AM and last approximately until 8:00 AM both nights.
Please move vehicles off the streets during these times until sweeping is done in these areas.
The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions.
Motorists should use extreme caution in this area.

Valley City  (CSi)  Barnes County will keep the county  burn ban in effect until March 26, when the ban will be reviewed.  The ban includes the burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage pits, construction debris, fallen trees as well as crop residue, sloughs, campfires and bonfires.

Barnes County Emergency Manager Sue Lloyd says residents can use grills and fire pits so long as there is an adult present and monitoring them and the adult ensures the fire pit and grill are completely extinguished when done using them.

 

 

NDDoH

Tues Mar. 16, 2021

11-a.m.

Barnes:

New Positives 3

Total Positives 1310

Active 9

Recovered 1268

 

Stutsman:

New Positives 3

Total Positives 3325

Active 15

Recovered 3215

COVID-19 Test Results
The results listed are from the previous day. Additional data can be found on the NDDoH website.

Please note that from now on the daily news release will be sent Monday – Friday. The NDDoH dashboard will continue to be updated daily.

BY THE NUMBERS
180,827	Residents who received at least one dose of vaccine
302,043	Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered
4,157	Total Tests from yesterday*
1,730,121	Total tests completed since the pandemic began
149	Positive Individuals from yesterday*****
55	PCR Tests
94	Antigen Tests
101,150	Total positive individuals since the pandemic began
4.59%	Daily Positivity Rate**
656	Total Active Cases
+37	Change in active cases from yesterday
100	Individuals with a recovery date of yesterday****
99,036	Total recovered since the pandemic began
15	Currently hospitalized
0	Change in hospitalizations from yesterday
+1	New death(s)
1,458	Total deaths since the pandemic began
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19
Woman in her 80s from Ward County
NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDAY BY COUNTY
Adams		0	Grant	0	Ransom	3
Barnes		3	Griggs	0	Renville	2
Benson		1	Hettinger	1	Richland	9
Billings		0	Kidder	0	Rolette	1
Bottineau		1	LaMoure	2	Sargent	2
Bowman		0	Logan	0	Sheridan	0
Burke		0	McHenry	1	Sioux	0
Burleigh		6	McIntosh	0	Slope	0
Cass		52	McKenzie	1	Stark	3
Cavalier		1	McLean	2	Steele	0
Dickey		2	Mercer	0	Stutsman	3
Divide		0	Morton	5	Towner	0
Dunn		0	Mountrail	1	Traill	0
Eddy		0	Nelson	3	Walsh	2
Emmons		0	Oliver	0	Ward	14
Foster		1	Pembina	3	Wells	1
Golden Valley		0	Pierce	0	Williams	5
Grand Forks		12	Ramsey	6

 

* Note that this includes PCR and antigen; it does not include individuals from out of state. 

**Individuals (PCR or antigen) who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). 

*** Number of individuals who tested positive with a PCR or antigen test and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19. Please remember that deaths are reported as they’re reported to us by the facility or through the official death record (up to 10-day delay). 

**** The actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

*****Daily positive numbers include people who tested with a PCR or antigen test. Totals may be adjusted as individuals are found to live out of state, in another county, or as other information is found during investigation.

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

 

Valley City  (CCHD)  City-County Health District is offering a mass-vaccination clinic for all priority groups in Phases 1A, 1B and 1C of ND COVID-19 vaccination plan on:

• Wednesday March 17
• 8:00 am to 11:00 am
• Valley City Jr/Sr High School Gym.

This event is now open to register for all priority groups in Phases 1A, 1B, and 1C.

Those who wish to be vaccinated by City-County Health District must register for an appointment by visiting www.citycountyhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. Those in need of clinic registration support are encouraged to call CCHD at 701-845-8518.

South Central Adult Services will provide free bus rides for seniors who need a ride to any COVID-19 vaccination clinic or appointment in Valley City. Director Pat Hansen said just call ahead for a ride at 845-4300.

City county Health Administrator, Theresa Will says, “We want to encourage the public to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Do not hold out for a single dose vaccine. Get the first vaccine that is available to you.”  Barnes County residents or those employed in Barnes County are encouraged to be vaccinated.  She says that the vaccine is safe despite rumors that discourage vaccinations.

The Health District has been allocated Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, which is approved for individuals ages 18 and over.

For information and updates related to COVID-19 vaccination in North Dakota, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/covid-19-vaccine-information.

 

Valley City  (VCPS)  Valley City Public Schools reminds  parents and guardians who have children attending or planning to attend the Valley City Public Schools ​VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY (Grades K-8) for the fourth quarter of the 2020-2021 school year.

​If you do not have students enrolled in the Academy and/or if you are not making any educational changes for the fourth quarter, no action is necessary from you. ​

Valley City Public Schools is planning to continue with Plan B (in-person learning) for the fourth quarter beginning on Monday, March 22nd.

VCPS 2020-2021 Virtual Learning Academy
Who: Any students enrolling in or current students transferring out of the Virtual Learning Academy for the 4th quarter.
What: You MUST send an email or call your student’s school principal declaring your student’s educational plan for the 4th quarter (see email addresses below)
When: Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 (Deadline)

If your student is already enrolled in the Virtual Learning Academy and you plan to continue for the fourth quarter, no action is necessary from you.

The fourth quarter will begin on Monday, March 22nd, 2021. Please know that our deadline of Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 will be firm due to the need to register students and secure staffing for the fourth quarter. Again, the deadline to ‘declare’ is Wednesday, March 17th, 2021.

Email address for School Principals
Troy Miller- Jefferson Elementary Principal (troy.miller@k12.nd.us)
Chad Lueck- Washington Elementary Principal (chad.lueck@k12.nd.us)
Dan Larson- Junior High Principal (daniel.larson@k12.nd.us)

If you have any questions regarding the Virtual Learning Academy, please contact your school principal via email or phone. A reminder that the deadline to enroll any new students in the Academy and/or transfer students to VCPS for in-person learning will be Wednesday, March 17th, 2021.

Josh Johnson

Superintendent

Valley City Public Schools

(701) 845-0483

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session, Tuesday evening  at City Hall, and  available on the zoom virtual platform.  All member were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

An Electrician, Plumber and/or Mechanical Contractor License for Tim’s Plumbing LLC.

A Rally in the Valley Parade on June 19^th, 2021 on Central Ave from Dairy Queen to 4^th St S.

A Raffle Permit for the Valley City Fire Department at the Eagles on April 30^th, 2021.

Blocking off Street request for Valley City High School Prom on May 1st from 4th St NW from Central Ave to 2nd Ave.

Public Comments  No one spoke.

RESOLUTION

Approved a  Resolution Creating Paving Improvement District No. 122 (Main Street Seal Coat). KLJ along part of Main Street approved by the NDDOT.  A share of the city’s costs will be special assessed.

 

Approved a  Resolution Approving Engineers Report & Directing Preparation of Detailed Plans, Specifications & Estimates of Probable Cost for Paving Improvement District No. 122 (Main Street Seal Coat). KLJ said the DOT is working on the environmental aspect, and the bid opening is anticipated in May this year.

 

Approved a Resolution Declaring Necessity for Paving Improvements in Paving Improvement District No. 122 (Main Street Seal Coat).

 

Approved a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Paving Improvement District No. 119, contingent upon approval from ND DEQ. (Department of Environmental Quality.)

Approved a  Resolution Awarding Contract for Paving Improvement District No. 119B, contingent upon approval from ND DEQ.

 

Apporved a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Sanitary Sewer District No. 64, contingent upon approval from ND DEQ.

 

Approved  a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Storm Sewer District No. 52, contingent upon approval from ND DEQ.

 

Approved a  Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Water Main District No. 100, contingent upon approval from ND DEQ.

KLJ said bids were reviewed and the low bid  accepted, under the estimated costs.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approved the Request from the Water Trail Committee of up to $1000  with appropriate invoices for the install of low head dam signage with applicable posts and hardware. Auditor Richter said funding is available from various city funds, and entities.  A national designation has been discussed for the water trail, where a portion of the funds will be coming from.

 

Discussed quotes for 7 year lease of heavy equipment.  Operations Superintendent Klemisch pointed out the quote requests, including options from RDO Equipment, which he requested approval of option two, for a model 772. He said there is a buyback, at the end of the lease, along with a warranty.

The City Commission recessed into Executive Session to discuss a negotiated agreement, in accordance with the North Dakota Century Code.

When the Commission reconvened into open session, a motion was approved to enter into an agreement to move forward with negotiations for a Permanent Flood  Protection Cold Storage Building.

Highlights of  City Administrators Report:

Gwen Crawford reported on progress with issues concerning   a new well, and the small dams within the city limits.

Highlights with City Updates and Commission reports.

City Attorney Martineck, reported on job opening applications.  The employee appreciation banquet will be held in May.

Clean up week is being set for the week before Memorial Day.

Commissioner Gulmon noted that $1-million was sold in Chamber Bucks with the dollars now circulating in the Valley City area.

Mayor Carlsrud said he and Commissioner Gulmon participated in the Green Dot Training.

The focus is helping create new norms in Valley City to ensure anyone who comes into town knows “We do not tolerate violence and everyone has a role to play in keeping Valley City safe.”

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.

 

Bismarck (NDANG) – The  North Dakota National Guard has marked its one-year anniversary of COVID-19 response operations in support of state and community health agencies.

The first North Dakota Guard members were activated for COVID-19 duty on March 16, 2020.
The ongoing COVID-19 support mission is the largest and longest state mobilization in North Dakota history. On Nov. 19, 2020 https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/news/nd-guard-reaches-milestone-covid-support, the North Dakota National Guard logged 67,495 personnel-days surpassing the previous record of 67,264 personnel-days recorded during response efforts in support of 2011 state-wide flooding.

As of March 15, the North Guard National Guard has logged 97,914 personnel-days of support in this mission.

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible contributions of the men and women of the North Dakota National Guard who have risen to the challenges presented by this historic pandemic,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “Their dedicated service and support has been critical in our whole-of-government response to this unparalleled threat to public health, and our entire state is thankful.”

Members of the North Dakota National Guard have supported the North Dakota Department of Health and local municipal health agencies during this response. Soldiers and Airmen have planned, conducted and administered traditional and later the BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests to include support at mobile testing sites state-wide. North Dakota Guard members have conducted strategic response planning and deep cleaning at long-term and congregate living facilities.

Soldiers and Airmen have also trained civilians in the use of BinaxNOW testing, assisted in the administering of COVID-19 vaccines, and aided in the design of prediction models which help guide response and assisted with contact tracing. Guard members have also aided in the transportation of test specimens and provided other support to the state laboratory in Bismarck and administered vaccines to its force in accordance with CDC tiered COVID-19 Vaccine rollout recommendations. Also, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, North Dakota adjutant general, has co-led the state’s Unified Command during state’s response to the pandemic.

“I salute our Guard Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees for their exceptional efforts and unyielding dedication in support of our state and communities during this unprecedented pandemic”, said Dohrmann. “We remain indebted to our families and employers for their understanding and support over the past year. Without them, we would not be successful.”

The North Dakota National Guard’s other state and federal missions continue despite the pandemic. The Guard recently conducted wildfire and flood response exercises, welcomed Airmen home from overseas duty, mobilized and deployed 70 Soldiers https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/news/aviation-unit-receives-alert-possible-mobilization of the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment to the National Capital Region, as well as 150 Soldiers in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

The North Dakota National Guard also conducted Vigilant Guard https://www.ndguard.nd.gov/news/nd-national-guard-builds-relationships-disaster-operations last summer, an exercise program sponsored by U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in conjunction with the National Guard Bureau (NGB) designed to improve operational relationships with civilian and military partners at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Currently the Fargo-based 119th Wing has begun its overseas deployment of over 100 Airmen while 50 Soldiers of the Devils Lake-based 835th Engineer Utilities Detachment and 225 Air Defense Artillery Soldiers from the Grand Forks-based 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment are training for possible mobilizations in support of U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) and in support of the National Capital Region’s air space protection, respectfully.

North Dakota Guardsmen have supported, and will continue to support the response to this pandemic as long as they are needed. About 988 individual North Dakota Soldiers and Airmen have served on COVID-19 response duty.

Today about 240 Soldiers and Airmen remain on COVID-19 duty.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Deputies in North Dakota’s most populous county are being outfitted with body-worn cameras. Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner says the sheriff’s office is working with Arizona-based technology and weapons company Axon for equipment and staff training. Jahner says the system is ready to be implemented this week. The sheriff says the technology will increase transparency and help hold deputies accountable, as well as assist in prosecuting criminal cases in the county that includes the Fargo-West Fargo metropolitan area.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An updated revenue forecast shows North Dakota collecting about $1 billion more in oil taxes over the next two-year budget cycle than what was expected just two months ago. The forecast from state budget analysts and Moody’s Analytics predicted a nearly 30% increase in oil prices than what the GOP-led Legislature used as a budgetary starting point in January. The Legislature’s budget consultancy, IHS Markit, will present its prediction later Tuesday. Lawmakers hired the Colorado-based firm in 2017 to give the Legislature a second opinion. Lawmakers will consider both forecasts to set the final numbers Thursday.

 

(AP)  A bipartisan group in Congress is urging the federal government not to remove 144 cities from being designated as metropolitan areas. They say reclassifying them as “micropolitan” could put key federal funding at risk. The request comes after The Associated Press reported this month that the federal government wants to raise the population criteria for core cities in metro areas from 50,000 residents to 100,000 residents. Doing so would reclassify more than a third of the 392 current metro areas as “micropolitan” statistical areas. The statisticians say the change is long overdue for a classification that was introduced in 1950.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A judge has refused to dismiss felony charges against an 85-year-old Bismarck woman accused of negligent homicide in the death of a pedestrian. The defense argued that prosecutors are treating the case differently than a similar one 13 years ago. Bertha Harper was charged last June following the death of 33-year-old Amber Rebel. The defense made accusations of selective prosecution. But prosecutors say the circumstances of the two cases are much different. The judge on Monday agreed with prosecutors. Harper’s trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Cass County prosecutors say they are looking into a U.S. Department of Agriculture report alleging inhumane treatment of a cow at the North Dakota State University Meat Laboratory. The USDA outlined the incident in a notice to the lab last month that it was suspending inspections at the school. The report said it took several shots from a “captive bolt device” for employees to stun the cow. At one point a manager disassembled and reassembled the gun, but it misfired before a fifth shot rendered the cow unconscious. Cass County State’s Attorney Birch Burdick says his office will review the USDA complaint and decide the next steps.

 

In sports…

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (UJ)  — Kat Miska of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports pitcher-of-the-week.  Miska, a junior from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, was 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA in two starts for Jamestown last week. She tossed a complete game 2-1 win over second-ranked Science & Arts (Okla.), with nine strikeouts. In addition, she struck out 12 in five innings in an 8-2 win over Bethany while improving her record to 6-1 with a 0.48 ERA, including 89 strikeouts in 44 IP and an opponent batting average of .139 on the season.

Jamestown opens GPAC play this weekend with a doubleheader at Northwestern (Iowa) College Saturday and Mount Marty (S.D.) University on Sunday.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (UJ) — Dru Fitz of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports pitcher-of-the-week.  Fitz, a senior from Gresham, Oregon, tossed a complete game three-hit shutout in Jamestown’s 4-0 win at Northwestern. He set a career high with 11 strikeouts and did not issue a walk while improving his record to 3-0 this season.

The Jimmies open GPAC play this weekend with doubleheaders at Hastings (Neb.) College Saturday and Sunday.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (UJ)  — The University of Jamestown swept the GPAC’s player of the week awards as the conference office announced its players of the week Tuesday.

Attacker – Derek Owens, University of Jamestown (Middle)

Derek Owens of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Volleyball Attacker-of-the-Week. Owens, a freshman, from Andover, Minnesota, hit .414 in four matches as fifth-ranked Jamestown went 4-0 against NCAA Division II competition last week.  He had 11 kills in a 3-2 win at Limestone University and made just nine errors in 58 attempts.

Setter- Derek Correa, University of Jamestown

Derek Correa of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Volleyball Setter-of-the-Week. Correa, a freshman, from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, had a record-breaking week for fifth-ranked Jamestown (N as the Jimmies went 4-0 against NCAA Division II competition In UJ’s four-set win at Erskine College, Correa set a program record with 55 assists, and also set a Jamestown five-set record with 52 assists in a 3-2 win at Limestone University. He broke the program record for assists in a season and averaged 11.63 assists per set, moving him into 16th nationally with 8.91 assists per set.

Defender – Austin Jacob, University of Jamestown (Middle Blocker)

Austin Jacob of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Volleyball Defender-of-the-Week. Jacob, a freshman, from Houston, Texas, had 22 total blocks in four matches for fifth-ranked Jamestown as the Jimmies went 4-0 against NCAA Division II competition. He set a UJ record with eight block assists in a 3-1 win at Erskine College. On the week he averaged 1.38 blocks per set and moved into 6th place in the NAIA with 1.13 blocks per set. He also hit .468 with 27 kills in 47 attempts.

UPDATE: Tuesday afternoon, the NAIA announced Jacob had been named national Defender of the Week.

The Jimmies host Morningside (Iowa) College Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.

In world and national news…

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is telling the U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender equality that “the status of women is the status of democracy” and the Biden administration will work to improve both. America’s first female vice president quoted the late U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as saying: “Without equality, there can be no democracy.” The decision to have Harris deliver the U.S. address marked a step up from the Trump administration’s lower level representation and reflected President Joe Biden’s commitment to putting women in top decision-making jobs and to multilateralism.

 

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s drug regulator is insisting that there is “no indication” the AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots as governments around the world faced the grimmest of dilemmas: push on with a vaccine known to save lives or suspend its use over reports of clotting in some recipients. The European Medicines Agency urged governments Tuesday not to halt use of the vaccine at a time when the pandemic is still taking thousands of lives each day. And already there are concerns that even brief suspensions could have disastrous effects on confidence in inoculation campaigns the world over. Many of those are already struggling to overcome logistical hurdles and widespread hesitancy about experimental vaccines.

 

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Violence has returned to Myanmar after demonstrators protesting last month’s military coup held small, peaceful marches before dawn and avoided confrontations with security forces who have shot and killed scores of their countrymen in recent days. In the largest city of Yangon, where casualties have been the highest, police used rubber bullets against crowds in several neighborhoods. One man was reported to be shot and killed. Another killing was reported in the city of Kawlin, in the northwestern Sagaing Region. The U.N. Human Rights Office in Geneva said 149 people have been killed nationwide since the Feb. 1 coup. The independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners put the death toll at 183.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration’s head of Homeland Security is defending a policy of allowing unaccompanied children crossing the southwest border to remain in the U.S. while quickly expelling most single adults and families. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a lengthy statement Tuesday on the response to the rising number of migrants apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden administration is continuing a Trump policy of quickly expelling single adults and families under a public health order due to the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s holding minors in temporary shelters until they can be placed with relatives or sponsors in the U.S. Mayorkas says the situation at the border is “difficult.”

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Lawyers for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death are asking the judge to admit evidence of a previous arrest in which the Black man was found with drugs, a request the prosecutor derided as an attempt to “smear” Floyd’s character. Derek Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson says Floyd’s arrest in May 2019 and last May were remarkably similar. Floyd ignored officers’ commands, put something in his mouth and had to be physically removed from a vehicle. Judge Peter Cahill says he could rule on the request as soon as Wednesday.

 

ROCKLIN, Calif. (AP) — Organizers behind a proposed recall of California Gov. Gavin Newsom face a Wednesday deadline to submit nearly 1.5 million petition signatures to qualify the proposal for the ballot. Supporters say they have collected over 2 million, though hundreds of thousands remain unverified by election officials. A months-long review gets underway to determine if and when the election will get on the ballot. It could take until September to set an election date, if it qualifies. The Democratic governor has seen his popularity tumble as public unrest spread over long-running school and business closures during the pandemic. Newsom has started raising money to defend his seat.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — A surge of absentee ballots during last year’s election led to concerns that a larger percentage of mailed ballots could be rejected for arriving past the deadline, not having a voter’s signature or some other reason. An analysis by The Associated Press shows that didn’t happen. AP found the rate of ballot rejections was actually lower in November than during last year’s primaries in several politically pivotal states despite an increase in the total number of mailed ballots cast. Voting rights groups attribute the success to widespread efforts to educate voters and following up on those that got rejected.