Commission says no to vote centers

In a fast-moving meeting Monday night, the Wilson County Commission opted not to endorse a plan for voting centers in the county despite local city governments voting in favor of the plan.

The plan was for the county to be one of five pilot programs in the state to try vote centers and determine whether it would be less expensive while increasing voter turnout.
In a fast-moving meeting Monday night, the Wilson County Commission opted not to endorse a plan for voting centers in the county despite local city governments voting in favor of the plan.
The plan was for the county to be one of five pilot programs in the state to try vote centers and determine whether it would be less expensive while increasing voter turnout.
Wilson County Administrator of Elections Phillip Warren has advocated the centers to save money and has spoke on their behalf at city council meetings and before the commission. The Election Commission sought to implement vote centers for the 2014 election cycle, if the change was approved by the state legislature.
Warren said the plan would be to continue to use the four current early voting sites and add six Election Day vote centers. Earlier he said all 10 vote centers would allow the same convenience for voters as the early voting sites offer— anyone could vote at any vote center regardless of where they live. Under the existing system, WCEC has four early voting sites along with 33 Election Day voting precincts. The idea is to make voting easier for voters and for election workers by cutting down on the Election Day rush.
On Monday, the commission put the brakes on that plan by voting to not to give its approval.
Commissioner Sarah Patton of District 9 spoke in opposition to the plan.
"I think people should vote where they live," she said, adding even if people just travel a few blocks to vote, they would still need transportation and/or spend gas money just to exercise their rights. "You're putting a poll tax on Wilson County if you pass this."
Commissioner Jerry McFarland agreed. He said the amount of money that might be saved would not make up for making voting less convenient for residents with disabilities and limited incomes.
"I was always told you vote where you sleep," he said. "It's not worth all the confusion."
Commissioner Fred Weston said the plan was a pilot program for the state. He said he wasn't elected by the entire county, and he would like to be on hand when his constituents cast their ballots in his district.
"People voted for me, and I would like to shake their hands," he said.
Mayor Randall Hutto told commissioners they were voting just to show support for the plan, but even if they rejected it, the program could "still go forward" at the state level.
Commissioner Mike Justice passed along what he had heard during an earlier discussion of the plan – "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Commissioner Bernie Ash was the only one to speak in favor of the plan.
"It cuts costs," he said. "That's what we're trying to do."
His point fell on deaf ears as the commission voted 16-9 in opposition.
Warren said after the meeting it is still early days for the proposal that still has to be passed in the state legislature before it can go any further.
"We've been trying to be proactive and ask for support from the cities and the county," he said. "If this passes in the legislature, we'll probably come back to the county commission again."
Warren said it is possible a few of the commissioners didn't understand the proposal fully, but it is still early in the process.
"A lot can change," he said. "I would encourage every county commissioner to come and talk to us. We would love to refine the proposal and we would love to hear and address their concerns."
He added while some on the commission didn't think the estimated savings are enough to merit the change, he thinks every little bit helps.
"The estimated savings amounts to 8 percent of our budget," Warren said.
Overall, he hopes county commissioners and anyone else who has questions about the proposal would contact him or the election commission so concerns can be heard. Warren said it's not too late to tweak the plan and try to address as many concerns as possible.
"The election commission and the county commission only have the best interests of Wilson County voters at heart," Warren said.