• • The Democrat’s position, which I support, is to delay a decision until 2026 to allow time for a bi-partisan review and input from the public. In addition to the League of Women Voters, there are conservative groups in the county that make a good argument for paper ballots and fewer to no machines.
  • The common aim “should be” to work to develop a system that gives ALL voters confidence in the integrity and security of the vote.
  • Making a change in our voting system requires a unanimous vote by the Election Board that consists of three members: The clerk, Pearletta Banks (R), Dick Judson (R), and Rick Kelley (D).
  • Agenda
  • 

Jan 17, 2024. Jan 17 2024 Letter BCD Democratic Party leader addresses election board

Nov 29, 2023. BCD. League questions election systems, security and vote center planning

Nov 21, 2023. Letter – Brown County Democrat by Shari Frank, LoWV.   Describes the process that led to the justification for the current voting system in Brown County

• • LoWV Brown County Election System – Letter to the Editor – BCD by Shari Frank

Legal References

IC 3-11-18.1-3 governs what is required for a county to become a vote center. It does require a public hearing. In additon — IC 3-11-18.1-4, which covers what is required to be in a vote center plan.

IC 3-11-18.1-3Designation of county as vote center county; adoption of vote center order and plan

Sec. 3. (a) A county must comply with this section to become a vote center county.

(b) As used in this section, “board” refers to any of the following:

(1) The county election board.

(2) The board of elections and registration.

(c) The board shall hold a public hearing to present a draft plan for administration of vote centers in the county.

(d) After presentation of the draft plan under subsection (c), the board shall accept written public comments on the draft plan.

(e) At least thirty (30) days after the hearing held under subsection (c), the board shall hold a public hearing to consider the following:

(1) The draft plan.

(2) The written public comments.

(3) Any other public comment that the board may permit on the draft plan.

(f) After consideration of the draft plan and the public comments, the board may do the following:

(1) Adopt an order approving the draft plan.

(2) Amend the draft plan and adopt an order approving the amended draft plan.

The board may adopt the order to approve a plan only by unanimous vote of the entire membership of the board.

(g) All members of the board must sign the order adopting the plan.

(h) The order and the adopted plan must be filed with the election division and must include a copy of:

(1) a resolution adopted by the county executive; and

(2) a resolution adopted by the county fiscal body;

approving the designation of the county as a vote center county.

As added by P.L.1-2011, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.170-2019, SEC.14.

IC 3-11-18.1-4Vote center plan; requirements

Sec. 4. The plan required by section 3 of this chapter must include at least the following:

(1) The total number of vote centers to be established.

(2) The location of each vote center.

(3) The effective date of the order.

(4) The following information according to the computerized list (as defined in IC 3-7-26.3-2) as of the date of the order:

(A) The total number of voters within the county.

(B) The number of active voters within the county.

(C) The number of inactive voters within the county.

(5) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), the number of precinct election boards that will be appointed to administer an election at the vote center.

(6) For each precinct election board designated under subdivision (5), the number and name of each precinct the precinct election board will administer consistent with section 13 of this chapter for an election that is not being held in each precinct of the county.

(7) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), the number and title of the precinct election officers who will be appointed to serve at the vote center.

(8) For each vote center designated under subdivision (2):

(A) the number and type of ballot variations that will be provided at the vote center; and

(B) whether these ballots will be:

(i) delivered to the vote center before the opening of the polls; or

(ii) printed on demand for a voter’s use.

(9) A detailed description of any hardware, firmware, or software used:

(A) to create an electronic poll list for each precinct whose polls are to be located at a vote center; or

(B) to manage data in an electronic poll book through a secure electronic connection between the county election board and the precinct election officials administering a vote center.

(10) A description of the equipment and procedures to be used to ensure that information concerning a voter entered into any electronic poll book used by precinct election officers at a vote center is immediately accessible to:

(A) the county election board; and

(B) the electronic poll books used by precinct election officers at all other vote centers in the county.

(11) This subdivision applies to a county in which ballot cards are used at a vote center. For each vote center designated under subdivision (2), whether each ballot card printed will have the printed initials of the poll clerks captured through the electronic signature pad or tablet at the time the poll clerks log into the electronic poll book system printed on the back of the ballot card immediately before the ballot card is delivered to a voter.

(12) The security and contingency plans to be implemented by the county to do all of the following:

(A) Prevent a disruption of the vote center process.

(B) Ensure that the election is properly conducted if a disruption occurs.

(C) Prevent access to an electronic poll book without the coordinated action of two (2) precinct election officers who are not members of the same political party.

(13) A certification that the vote center complies with the accessibility requirements applicable to polling places under IC 3-11-8.

(14) A sketch depicting the planned layout of the vote center, indicating the location of:

(A) equipment; and

(B) precinct election officers;

within the vote center.

(15) The total number and locations of satellite offices to be established under IC 3-11-10-26.3 at vote center locations designated under subdivision (2) to allow voters to cast absentee ballots in accordance with IC 3-11. However, a plan must provide for at least one (1) vote center to be established as a satellite office under IC 3-11-10-26.3 on the two (2) Saturdays immediately preceding an election day.

(16) The method and timing of providing voter data to persons who are entitled to receive the data under this title. Data shall be provided to all persons entitled to the data without unreasonable delay.

(17) In a county in which a majority of votes are cast on optical scan ballot cards, any additional procedures to provide for efficient and secure voting at each vote center, including ballot on demand printing.