The Monroe county clerk and other election officials wants more space in the Johnson Hardware building, where Election Central is based, for voting. Right now, it’s just the first floor, and community corrections is on the second.
Board of Commissioners president Julie Thomas says they can’t move community corrections to make more space for voting.
"We know that vote centers and early voting satellite sites help increase voter turnout. We know this nationally, we know this is the state of Indiana in various counties," said Thomas.
2020 01 Corresponence From Browne on Election Central Space by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
Election officials say they’ve received complaints about long lines and difficulty casting ballots.
Thomas agrees the current space isn’t enough, but says adding the second floor wouldn’thelp issues with crowds or lines. She and commissioners say early voting satellite sites are a better option.
Shruti Rana is an election board member. She has concerns about satellite locations - including the resources and security they would require.
"Every time you have to move ballots, it’s very expensive. You need to have different people, you need to have security, you need to have all these different requirements," said Rana.
The election board is planning a work session to consider the points presented by the county board of commissioners.
2021 08 24 Election Space Two Column Format by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
