Secretary of State congratulates county on Vote Center Plan

Following the recent approval of Greene County adopting vote centers, the Indiana Secretary of State issued a statement congratulating the county.

The plan will cut down on the number of polling places in the county to save money, while also having a goal of being more efficient for the voters, according to information previously provided by Voter Registration Clerks Teressa Smith and Steve Magner.

County Clerk Susan Fowler took the proposed plan before the Greene County Council and County Commissioners earlier this year.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson issued a statement Wednesday in regards to the change, noting the timing works well in preparation for the next presidential election in a few years.

“Congratulations to Greene County on their decision to become a vote center county. The 2018 midterm election is an excellent opportunity to make the transition to the vote center model. It will allow election administrators and voters time to test locations and methods before the 2020 presidential election, when turnout is expected to increase dramatically,” Lawson said.

The plan followed a state guideline, but also included input from leaders all over the county and sought information from Greene County residents as well.

“I know Clerk Fowler and several community leaders have worked hard to put this plan together. I applaud their efforts and know the convenience and potential costs savings to voters will serve the county well,” Lawson said.

By reducing the number of polling places and therein reducing the number of poll workers needed throughout the county, the plan is expected to help the county save $2,244 per election day.

The plan designates the following vote centers to be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Jasonville Fire Department, Worthington Town Hall, Center Township Fire Department, Roy Clark Building, Bloomfield Fire Department, Lyons Community Building, Greene County Community Event Center, Taylor Township Fire Department and Easter Fire Department.

The Vote Center county designation will allow voters to vote anywhere in the county. For example, if an individual is on their way to or from work, they could stop at the most convenient polling place. Also, if an individual were to pull up to their typical polling place and the line was too long, they could drive to the next location to vote with the help of the electronic registration.

There will also be additional machines at each location -- at least four -- which will also help in getting individuals through the line much quicker.

In addition to the courthouse being open for early voting for 28 days before Election Day, the Voter Registration Office would open two satellite locations in the Saturdays before Election Day, one on the east side of the county and the other on the west side on subsequent Saturdays.

Following the first election cycle under the Vote Center Plan, the group of local leaders will meet once again to consider reevaluating the polling locations, which will allow them to add or subtract the number of polling places in the county.