FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alting: Vote centers receive bipartisan support
Bill to be sent to Governor
(STATEHOUSE) – Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) said today’s Indiana Senate and House of Representatives approval for continuing Tippecanoe County vote centers could improve voter turnout and save taxpayers money.
If signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, House Bill 1071 will allow Tippecanoe County to continue setting up a system where people can cast ballots at locations around the county called vote centers. Alting said these vote centers will be placed at easily accessible locations, such at grocery stores and government centers.
“Last year, I was at the store getting groceries and I voted while I was there,” Alting said. “It was very convenient and I definitely support this concept. Results from prior elections and reactions from Tippecanoe voters were very positive. They enjoyed the flexibility and convenience of having a choice to vote at various centers versus being committed to one location.”
Alting said vote centers also improve and streamline election management and provide cost savings by requiring fewer poll workers and less equipment.
Vote centers were initially approved as pilot projects in Tippecanoe and Wayne (Richmond) counties for the 2007 municipal elections. Under the precinct system, Alting said officials from Tippecanoe County estimated they would have needed 260 poll workers to staff its 52 polling places. Instead, 22 vote centers were opened with 142 poll workers. The county spent about $56,000 to operate the centers, compared with an estimated $75,000 it would have spent under the precinct system.
According to Alting, HB 1071 will allow Tippecanoe vote centers to be set up yearly throughout 2010.
Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.
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