vote center regional meeting april 2013. today’s discussion 1.why vote centers 2.how to become a...

Vote Center Regional Meeting

April 2013

Today’s Discussion

1. Why vote centers

2. How to become a vote center county

3. Vote Center Clerk experiences

4. Questions and Answers

History of Vote Centers

•Piloted by three counties in 2007•Wayne•Tippecanoe•Cass

•Authored legislation to allow counties to move to vote centers

•7 active vote center counties with two more in 2014

•Decisions made by local elected officials

Why Vote Centers:Cost-savings

Possible reductions in current election costs Fewer poll workers needed Fewer voting machines needed Decrease in need for storage space Eliminate couriers

Some initial investment Electronic poll book New computer equipment Voter education

Why Vote Centers:Convenience

Located around county in popular locations

Flexibility for voters to choose where to vote

Steady stream of voters

Step 1:Gauge Interest

Engage stakeholdersCounty elected officialsCounty party officialsCommunity leadersVoters

Pass resolutions County Council County Commissioners

Step 2:Form a study committee

•Diverse group• County elected officials• County party officials• Community leaders• Voters

• Topics to discuss– Infrastructure and

technology– Electronic poll books– Training for poll workers– Preparing voters– Early voting– Locations– Costs

Step 3:Draft your plan

•Legal requirements• Indiana Code 3-11-18.1• Include

• Number of vote centers• Location of each vote center• Total number of voters in county(active and inactive)

•Review current vote center county plans• www.votecenters.in.gov

Step 4:Seek Public Comment

•Present plan at public meeting

•30 day public comment period

•Organize and incorporate comments into plan

Step 5:Election board approval

•Public meeting to review final plan

•Unanimous vote from election board

Step 6:File the plan

•Send entire plan to the Indiana Election Division

•Plans will be available on the vote center website

Step 7:Learn from experience

•Use experiences to update plan.

•File updated plan with the Indiana Election Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the costs associated with renting facilities and setting up proper internet connections?

• Do vote centers increase voter turnout?• How is equipment secured at vote center

locations during early voting?• What hours are vote centers open for early

voting? How many vote centers are used for early voting?

Questions?

Contact information

Office of the Indiana Secretary of State200 W. Washington St., Room 201

Indianapolis, IN 46204

www.votecenters.in.gov

ajmiller@sos.in.gov