St. Joseph County Vote Center Proposed Plan
PURPOSE OF MEETINGS What is a Vote Center? How does a Vote Center work? Voter Impact and Education Financial Impact Questions and Answers
What is a Vote Center? Similar to a Super Precinct A place with multiple precincts in one location ANY registered voter may vote there Locations based on accessibility & convenience for voters countywide Uses technology to more efficiently manage the entire voting process
Types of Vote Centers Election Day Vote Centers Open on Election Day from 6 AM to 6 PM Satellite Vote Centers Open up to 28 days (including Saturdays & Sunday) before Election Day, located at various convenient sites around the county Hours of operation may vary
History of Vote Centers Developed in Larimer, CO to allow voters more flexibility in casting their ballots Increased early voting opportunities for voters
History cont d Indiana Pilot Counties Wayne, Tippecanoe, Cass (2007 2010) In 2011, General Assembly passed law to make Vote Centers an option for all Indiana counties Vanderburgh & Fayette Counties filed in 2011 Blackford, Johnson, Switzerland & Floyd filed in 2012
Current Precinct System 221 precincts & 159 Polling Places 65% single precinct polling sites 35% multiple precincts polling sites Over 1500 precinct, travel board, absentee workers, machine technicians, Election Day commissioners & Clerk s staff
Current System - cont d In Person Voter may only vote at their assigned precinct. (1 place) Absentee Voting In person, only 2 sites 29 days before Election Day Lobby of County City Bldg, South Bend Lobby of Mishawaka County Services Annex
Absentee Voting by Mail If you qualify, you can receive a ballot in the mail by completing and submitting absentee ballot application. Must be absent from county during the hours of 6AM to 6PM Working at a polling location or Clerk s Office Confined to a hospital or health care facility Voter with disabilities Elderly Voter
Vote by Mail cont d Caring for an individual confined to a private residence Works between the hours of 6AM 6PM Moved from former precinct less than 30 days before election Religious Holiday Address Confidentiality program
Travel Board Voting If you need assistance with voting, you can request the Travel Board (1 Democrat and 1 Republican) be sent to your residence.
Vote Centers Approximately 40 different locations to go and cast a ballot in person Voter registration information available at all locations in an electronic poll book All ballots available at each Vote Center
With Vote Centers: THERE IS NO WRONG PLACE TO VOTE!
Early Voting with Vote Centers Multiple locations for Early Satellite Centers instead of 2 Can be open 28 days before Election Day Can be placed in libraries, grocery stores, malls, hospitals, churches, etc.
Increased Accessibility Vote Centers on Election Day offer easy accessibility and parking Satellite locations provide more places for early voting, in addition to the two we currently have.
Flexibility Vote Center Model offers approximately 40 locations to vote Satellite Vote Centers offer expanded Election hours for absentee voting (early voting)
Technological Advances Current equipment purchased over 10 years ago Electronic Poll Books reduce human input error and prohibit voting twice Better oversight by Election Board
Financial Savings Fewer workers and buildings required Fewer voting machines needed Less printing costs
Increase in Absentee Votes Today, 30 states allow no-excuse absentee voting Candidates/political parties continue to encourage people to vote before Election Day In 2008, 30% of votes were cast by Absentee Ballots. In 2012 it was 21%
How do Vote Centers Work? Election Day Voters will receive a postcard with locations printed on them. Vote Center will be staffed with traditional bi-partisan team Clerk will check-in voter on an electronic poll book Voter votes on either a DRE machine or paper ballot Ballot is run through ballot scanner
What it will look like
Voting Equipment Electronic Poll Books Reduces Poll Worker error All locations immediately notified when voter is issued a ballot Scanner to read Driver s License information Uploads data directly to Indiana State Voter Registration System Electronic Signature Pad uploads/updates signature in SVRS
Vote Center Criteria Voter Access Ample Parking WiFi Access Transportation Access (Public & Vehicular) Geographical Balance Population Balance
Vote Center Locations - County
Vote Center Locations South Bend
Vote Centers - Mishawaka
Advantages to Voter No more wrong locations Increased voting options Vote when and where it is convenient for the voter by increasing absentee/early voting options
Disadvantages to Voter Possible change in where you vote Uncertainty of new process Possibility of having to travel farther to vote
Advantages of Vote Centers Improved & more efficient management of Election by election officials and voter s registration Process voters more efficiently Improved Election analysis & accuracy Provides better trained poll workers
Disadvantages of Vote Centers Transportation issues People are reluctant to embrace change Technical skills are necessary for some poll workers
Education of Public Post card sent to every voting household with locations of Vote Centers Advertisement in Media, Transpo, & various public outlets Public Hearings Speaking to local businesses, community & service clubs, and religious groups
Keys to Success Increasing early voting Advertisement & Voter Education Sufficient Voting Equipment to avoid long lines
Key Findings Costs savings Current voting machines are 10 years old Fewer new machines to buy/lease Electronic Poll Books enable better planning, reduce costs, and reduce post election administrative duties Fewer provisional ballots and more votes get counted
General Election Costs Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, 2010 Vote Center Costs per Voter High Turnout - $1.42 per voter Low Turnout - $7.30 per voter Precinct Election Costs per Voter High Turnout - $2.39 per voter Low Turnout - $12.28 per voter
Contact Information Office of the Indiana Secretary of State 200 W. Washington St. Room 201 Indianapolis, IN 46204 www.votecenters.in.gov ajmiller@sos.in.gov St. Joseph County Election Board 101 S. Main St South Bend, IN 46601 574-235-9635