Dec 18, 2024.  Voting locations reviewed  by Dave S Stafford Brown County Democrat

AUDIO of the Meeting

• • 32:02 Vote Centers 

Key Points:

• • Kudos to all the election workers!
  • Early Voting.  Over half of the citizens voted early. About 100 ballots could not be counted due to mistakes in the processing. The cramped spaces at Eagle Park may have contributed to the problem.  A larger space may mitigate the problems.  The CRC may be an option, but security would be needed to ensure separation between voters and the pre-schoolers. (Off-year presidential elections do not require 28 days of early voting).
  • Voting Day Issues.  Some voters showed up at the wrong voting locations and chose to complete provisional ballots knowing their vote would not be counted.
  • Voting Centers. Voters (despite their precinct or district, can choose to vote at any voter center. 87 of 92 counties have opted for Vote Centers.
  • Location: The idea is to have 5 voting centers – with 4 being at the schools and one possibly at the Church of the Lakes. Schools would be Van Buren, Nashville, Spearsville, and Helmsburg.  State law requires the schools to accommodate this option. Children could be given an e-learning day.
  • Equipment.  Additional equipment would be needed. The clerk received a grant to cover the expense.
  • Approvals. The Election Board must approve the change to voting centers. Commissioners have a final vote.
  • Convenience? About half of the voters traveled to Eagle Park to vote early. There are currently 9 voting locations (two precincts are combined at the same location) for the general election, and voters must vote in their precincts. Any voter could vote at any of the five proposed Voting Centers.