The Utah County Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to create an official elections coordinator position.

"I never thought we'd be discussing an elections coordinator for two months," Commissioner Jerry Grover said.

"All for the want of 33,000 votes," Commissioner Steve White added.

That is how many votes were missed because of a computer glitch in November - an oversight that took two weeks to correct.

Commissioners hope such flubs will be a thing of the past once the county hires the elections coordinator, who with the title and job description will be eligible to receive special training.

Kristen Swensen, who had handled election duties before leaving recently to take a similar job with Salt Lake County, did not have the title and could not receive any training.

The new elections czar probably will be paid about 5 per hour - 20 percent more than workers in the elections office now make - and head a staff of two employees and about 23 temporary helpers during elections.

Assistant Clerk-Auditor Cary McConnell will supervise the elections coordinator.

meddington@sltrib.com