Optimizing Voting Precincts for Efficiency and Accessibility
Explore the benefits and considerations of merging voting precincts, including increased early voting opportunities, cost savings, and staffing challenges. Learn about the requirements set by the NCSBE and lessons learned from previous precinct changes for a smoother transition.
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Presentation Transcript
MERGING VOTING PRECINCTS Randolph County BOE Rockingham County BOE
WHY MERGE VOTING PRECINCTS? * Increase in early voting * Polling places issues - ADA compliance, difficulty in finding appropriate spaces * Small precincts * Limited resources hard to find enough poll workers * Cost savings when purchasing new voting equipment * County Board of Elections support
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS * Post-election reporting of ballots by VTD * Political makeup and climate of County * Desire of County Board of Elections bipartisan support * Census (2010/2020) * Timing gradual or all at once * New, larger polling places with adequate staffing * No VTDs when Rockingham first merged precincts
NCSBE REQUIREMENTS * Resolution approved and signed by County Board of Elections * Executive Summary explaining changes * Polling place accessibility surveys * Written descriptions of proposed precinct boundary lines * Electronic map and images of existing and proposed precincts and polling places * Voter notification plan * Must code ballots by Voting Tabulation Districts and record votes by VTD (G.S. 163-132.3) * Update SEIMS precinct code names and description names in accordance with G.S. 163-132.3A * Update polling place pictures in SEIMS * Rockingham County a preclearance county
AFTER PRECINCT CHANGES 2012: 40 Precincts 2013: 22 Precincts
LESSONS LEARNED Positive Changes Issues to Resolve Long lines in November 2014 lengthy ballot, no straight ticket vote, local issues Easier to merge near census when Precincts match VTDs Public perception: negative public feedback was limited Expect the unexpected Not a one-size-fits-all solution Coding by precinct costs are higher Post-election reporting by VTD is done. Reallocated resources open additional one-stops when needed Fewer judges/chief judges needed Made changes during a municipal election year, not before a presidential Got buy-in from County Commissioners and political parties Long-term cost savings on voting equipment, laptops Times savings before and after election
Randolph County Melissa Johnson Rockingham County Tina Cardwell
