Study supports center concept

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February 2, 2010

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Tue Feb 02, 2010, 05:33 PM EST

THE ISSUE:Vote centers.

OUR VIEW:Lawmakers should allow the program to expand in other counties.

A new report gives evidence to those who say all 92 counties should have the option of using vote centers.

The report by the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute concludes that every Indiana county could save money by using vote centers rather than the traditional precincts.

Cass, Tippecanoe and Wayne counties are now the only counties allowed to use the concept, but even they will have to move away from it after this year if the Legislature fails at least to extend the experiment.

That would be unfortunate.

The institute’s analysis says Marion County could save more than $300,000 by switching to vote centers. Even tiny Floyd County could save more than $25,000.

The institute says vote centers also give local election officials more flexibility to anticipate voter turnout and deploy staff more effectively.

At the very least, the Legislature should extend the pilot program to allow Cass and the other counties to continue a process that is clearly working.

The experiment backed by the secretary of state’s office is approaching its third election in Cass County and its fourth in Tippecanoe and Wayne counties. It has saved thousands of dollars on voting equipment and personnel in those counties, and at the same time, it has made voting more convenient.

Rather than being limited to voting at a single location during one 12-hour period on Election Day, voters have been able to choose among numerous locations over several days.

They might find a spot close to work to cast a ballot during lunch break or on the way home. Or they might stop to vote on the way to the grocery store.

At a time when local units of government are finding themselves scrambling to balance their budgets, a concept that saves money while making voting more convenient should be a no-brainer.

Maybe the idea won’t work everywhere. Some counties might find they’re better off with the current system.

But that’s why the concept is optional.

Counties that like the idea of vote centers will have the chance to use them. Those that don’t will be able to stick with a system they like.

Lawmakers should approve a measure that would allow the secretary of state’s office to continue this program in the counties where it’s already in place while expanding it to other counties interested in giving it a try.

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