Voting Center Questions
By Lamont Neal on Thursday, September 1st, 2011 |
The Vote Center Study Committee is eager to hear from the voters of Huntington County. Public input on the issue of vote centers being utilized in Huntington County is welcome now through September 30th. A public forum is planned for September 15th, at 6:30 p.m. and will take place in Heritage Hall at Hier’s Park…we encourage anyone who is interested to join us. There will be an informative video and mock set up of a vote center.
Huntington County Voters have always been given the ability to pick their candidates but now they could have the convenience of picking their voting place also!
Common questions concerning Vote Centers:
What is a Vote Center?
A vote center is a polling place where any registered voter in Huntington County may vote as long as the voter lives in the district holding the election. The vote center model gives voters more flexibility on Election Day because they are not limited to a specific polling location. Vote Centers are connected through secure internet connections, and as ballots are cast, an electronic poll book is instantaneously updated.
Why are Vote Centers a good idea?
While it is possible that counties will save money using vote centers, the true purpose of the vote centers concept is to increase voter convenience and accessiblity.
Can a voter go to any available Vote Center?
Yes, a voter can visit any Vote Center that is operating for that election. A list of Election Day vote centers is on the back of the postcard that the voter receives about ten days before the election.
The voter may pick the vote center that is closest to where they work, closest to where they live or closest to where they’re doing their errands that day. They will not be required to vote in one particular spot.
Will regular polling locations be available in addition to Vote Centers?
No, voting will only occur at Vote Centers. (There might be a few old polling locations that will be used as Vote Centers.)
What if it isn’t convenient to vote on Election Day…is there early voting available?
There are several ways to vote early before an election. Absentee voting is set up in the Clerk’s Office for in-person voting prior to Election Day. Absentee voting by mail is another convenient option available. And now with the introduction of Early Voting satellite locations, there will be places where you can just drop in and vote in-person during the hours they are open. For those individuals who are not able to leave their home and require assistance to vote we have Absentee Traveling Board.
Can voters still go to their old polling place?
The polling locations used in previous elections will not be open on Election Day unless they have been repurposed as a Vote Center.
How does the voting machine give the voter the correct ballot?
Our voting machines can hold all the different ballots. When the voter checks in, the poll workers of that Vote Center will assist them just as in the past. No matter what precinct you live in, you will get the correct ballot…it does not matter which Vote Center you visit. Voters will still be using the same voting machines they are familiar with.
With fewer polling locations, will there be long lines?
Long lines are not expected because each Vote Center is much larger than a regular polling place. For example, a regular polling place had two check-in clerks and three or four machines. In a
Vote Center polling place, there may be extra check-in clerks and 10 or more machines. Also, the more voters who take advantage of the many early voting options available will reduce the number of voters
voting on Election Day.
A copy of the Huntington County Vote Center Plan can be reviewed at the Clerk’s Office or online at
http://www.huntington.in.us/county/ .
Comments...
raymong r tackett posted on September 7th, 2011 @ 05:23:54i strongly ask county election board member mike clemone to vote no on this plan to supress voters in huntington
this kind of system will target low income and the elgery who go to their normal voting places.
i dont know whos brainstorm idea this was but as a member of the huntington democratic, andrews town coubcilman and dallas 2 precient committeman i oppose this intrusion to one of the last frre choices we have . if mike clrmons dosent want to vote no he should resign his possiton and the party appoint someone who will vote no
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