Public Invited To Give Feedback On Vote Center Plan
June 16, 2021 at 1:16 a.m.
Public Invited To Give Feedback On Vote Center Plan
By David [email protected]
A public meeting on the plan will be from 6 to 7 p.m. July 22 in the old courtroom in the county courthouse, according to information provided by County Clerk Ann Torpy. Comments also may be emailed to [email protected], written to the county clerk and county election board or by visiting the clerk’s office in the Justice Building.
In a message from Torpy to the county citizens, she writes, “Since vote centers were first utilized in Indiana election since 2007, leaders in Kosciusko County have been carefully observing its effects on voters, county budgets and on the election process. Now, 47 counties in Indiana have made the transition to become voter center counties.”
The plan is to bring vote centers to the voters of Kosciusko County, she states. “The voter center concept gives any voter in Kosciusko County the opportunity to cast their ballot at any polling location throughout the county; no one is restricted to one polling location on Election Day. In addition to making it easier for voters on Election Day, the vote center concept also calls for increased early voting opportunities at what are called satellite vote centers that are open prior to Election Day,” she wrote.
The use of electronic poll books also will assist in streamlining the election process, “as many of you witnessed first-hand in the 2020 presidential election,” the letter continues. Voters will simply check with a poll worker by scanning in their ID or having a poll worker type in their name, with the days of looking through paper poll books a thing of the past.
Vote centers also will provide the county with financial savings. By having fewer locations, Torpy states, the county spends less taxpayer money on poll workers, meals and rentals on Election Day.
“By transitioning to vote centers, voter convenience is improved, election administration is streamlined and made simpler and the county’s long-term fiscal stance would be improved when it comes to elections,” she states.
Recommendations or concerns may be sent to Kosciusko County Clerk, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
The draft of the plan includes a list of the vote center locations. Indiana code states a county is required to have one vote center per every 10,000 active voters. Kosciusko County has 49,604 active voters; 3,304 inactive voters for 52,908 current voters, according to information in the plan. Therefore, the county is required to have at least six vote centers open on Election Day. However, the County Election Board, along with the Vote Center committee, recommended 21 vote center locations. All voting sites are ADA compliant, allowing accessibility for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
The early voting location is listed as the Justice Building.
Satellite early voting locations will be opened the final two Saturdays before Election Day. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the mid-term elections, it will be the North Webster Community Center. For presidential elections, it will be the NWCC and the Shrine Building in Warsaw. For city and town elections, vote centers will be based on need and an amendment will be filed by the Kosciusko County Election Board at that time.
A public meeting on the plan will be from 6 to 7 p.m. July 22 in the old courtroom in the county courthouse, according to information provided by County Clerk Ann Torpy. Comments also may be emailed to [email protected], written to the county clerk and county election board or by visiting the clerk’s office in the Justice Building.
In a message from Torpy to the county citizens, she writes, “Since vote centers were first utilized in Indiana election since 2007, leaders in Kosciusko County have been carefully observing its effects on voters, county budgets and on the election process. Now, 47 counties in Indiana have made the transition to become voter center counties.”
The plan is to bring vote centers to the voters of Kosciusko County, she states. “The voter center concept gives any voter in Kosciusko County the opportunity to cast their ballot at any polling location throughout the county; no one is restricted to one polling location on Election Day. In addition to making it easier for voters on Election Day, the vote center concept also calls for increased early voting opportunities at what are called satellite vote centers that are open prior to Election Day,” she wrote.
The use of electronic poll books also will assist in streamlining the election process, “as many of you witnessed first-hand in the 2020 presidential election,” the letter continues. Voters will simply check with a poll worker by scanning in their ID or having a poll worker type in their name, with the days of looking through paper poll books a thing of the past.
Vote centers also will provide the county with financial savings. By having fewer locations, Torpy states, the county spends less taxpayer money on poll workers, meals and rentals on Election Day.
“By transitioning to vote centers, voter convenience is improved, election administration is streamlined and made simpler and the county’s long-term fiscal stance would be improved when it comes to elections,” she states.
Recommendations or concerns may be sent to Kosciusko County Clerk, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
The draft of the plan includes a list of the vote center locations. Indiana code states a county is required to have one vote center per every 10,000 active voters. Kosciusko County has 49,604 active voters; 3,304 inactive voters for 52,908 current voters, according to information in the plan. Therefore, the county is required to have at least six vote centers open on Election Day. However, the County Election Board, along with the Vote Center committee, recommended 21 vote center locations. All voting sites are ADA compliant, allowing accessibility for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
The early voting location is listed as the Justice Building.
Satellite early voting locations will be opened the final two Saturdays before Election Day. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the mid-term elections, it will be the North Webster Community Center. For presidential elections, it will be the NWCC and the Shrine Building in Warsaw. For city and town elections, vote centers will be based on need and an amendment will be filed by the Kosciusko County Election Board at that time.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092