Rokita talks future of vote centers

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Indiana Secretary of State, Todd Rokita, met with Tippecanoe County Clerk, Linda Phillips, Cass County Clerk, Beth Liming, and State Senator, Ron Alting, to discuss the future of vote centers.

The Indiana General Assembly killed a bill that would extend vote centers on the last day of the 2010 legislative session. Rokita said vote centers versus precinct voting just makes sense.

"After piloting the concept in Tippecanoe, Cass, and Wayne counties for three years, we've gotten excellent data back showing this is an excellent way to increase accessibility for voters and reduce costs," said Rokita.

Rokita said Tippecanoe County has saved thousands from utilizing vote centers.

"I can tell you that in Tippecanoe County, they saved 30% of their traditional election costs just in the fall election in 2008 alone. So we estimate that they saved at least $40,000 over each election," said Rokita.

Tippecanoe County Clerk, Linda Phillips, said reverting back to precinct voting would raise costs for the county.

"In 2012, the first year in which we would really have the full impact, we probably would have 105 precincts. Each of whom would have 5 workers. So, we would need over 550 poll workers. In the 2008 general election, we had 220. Obviously we pay those poll workers, we feed those poll workers, so our costs go up rather dramatically," said Phillips.

"The costs are going to go up hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Rokita.

Cass County has 39 precincts. Currently, 7 voting centers are utilized. Cass County Clerk, Beth Liming, agrees eliminating vote centers doesn't make sense.

"If we have to go back, we would have to double all of our equipment, double all of our workers, and you know we're supposed to be cutting money and cutting budgets everywhere and it just doesn't make sense why we would have to turn around and pay out money for all these different things," said Liming.

Vote centers are still in effect for both elections this year. Lawmakers are expected to lobby for the return of vote centers on 'Organization Day' at the state-house this November.