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ARF- 3096      2. C.    
Work Session
Meeting Date: 03/31/2015  
Submitted For: Eric Mariscal
Submitted By: Cate Gore, Administrative Clerk, Elections Department
Department: Elections  

Information
Request/Subject
Discussion on the establishment of vote centers and elections issues.
Background Information
Voting at the traditional established Gila County polling places has been on the decline for many years.  This is not only true in Gila County, but in Arizona and across the nation.  Voters are taking advantage of "early voting" by mail in greater and greater numbers.  Over the last ten years the number of people voting via early ballot has been the trend. At the same time, it has become increasingly more difficult for the Elections Department to hire a sufficient number of "enthusiastic" poll workers.
Evaluation
Due to the above mentioned issues, Gila County must consider consolidating the number of polling places in order to more effectively utilize our resources.  The Elections Department Director recommends the creation of "vote centers" which will consolidate a larger number of people into far fewer polling places.  Vote centers were established at Yavapai County in 2010; at Yuma County in 2012 and at Graham County in 2014.  If vote centers are equipped properly with electronic poll books and ballot on demand printers (where the printers make economic sense), voters will be able to vote at any vote center in the entire County without regard to their assigned precinct.  Cost savings over time include a reduction in the total number of required poll workers, the cost to rent polling place facilities, and the cost of printing excess ballots.  Printing (and two-years' worth of storage) of ballots for 101% of the voting population when there is a 45-65% voter turnout is a tremendous waste of taxpayers' resources.  Should the Board of Supervisors decide to establish vote centers within Gila County, an ample amount of time will be provided for public input to allow voters the opportunity to test the equipment and discuss the Vote Center concept.  Currently the Elections Department is researching the equipment of qualified vendors.
Conclusion
The Elections Department is currently evaluating equipment and seeking input from the Board of Supervisors.
Recommendation
None at this time.
Suggested Motion
Information/Discussion regarding the establishment of "vote centers" and replacing Elections Department equipment needed to conduct elections.  (Eric Mariscal)

Attachments
Vote Centers Information

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