Poll site consolidation possible for small Chenango townships
Voters waited in line for about 45 minutes as the result of a high voter turnout in Sherburne during the 2020 election. While turnout for each election is different, the Chenango County Board of Elections is facing the likelihood of consolidating poll sites in sparsely populated townships (those less than 2,000 registered voters), should that directive come from the state. Above, voters in Sherburne wait to vote in last year’s presidential election. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)
NORWICH - Faced with changing elections laws, escalating costs, and inconsistent voter turnout locally, the Chenango County Board of Elections is examining the likelihood of consolidating polling sites in thinly populated townships should the directive come from the state.
According to department administrators, the move may make logistics easier on election night and save some money by eliminating the need for a few poll inspectors. Recruiting poll inspectors has been a particular challenge for the board in recent years.
The Board of Elections doled out nearly $18,000 to pay poll inspectors for a county-wide Republican primary earlier this year. Despite the cost, voter turnout was low with less than 5 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot.
“You always have the expense whether voters show up or not, and unfortunately they didn’t,” said Democratic Party Commissioner Carol Franklin. “We still have to conduct it.”
Before combining polling sites, the Board of Elections has to wait for the end of once-in-a-decade legislative redistricting in New York State, which legislators are pressing to have finished by early 2022.
The department is also limited to consolidating polling districts with less than 2,000 registered voters.
Department heads are eying the townships of Smithville, Lincklaen, Otselic, and German in particular. German and Smithville already share a polling site.
Franklin, alongside Republican Commissioner Mary Lou Monahan, floated the notion of consolidating at a meeting of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee last week. Committee members said while they understand the reasoning, they worry about voter turnout.
“It’s my opinion that the voter count will go down,” said Lincklaen Supervisor Wayne Outwater.
“I know it won’t be a popular thing,” said Monahan, noting there are still “a lot of unknowns” to consider, including mandates yet to be handed down by the state. “This is not a negative ‘let’s get rid of polling sites’ thing. We’re trying to do things that make sense.”
Monahan added if - or when - polling places are consolidated, the department would likely stick with that site rather than rotate townships for each new election. Polling sites must meet certain criteria under state elections laws.
The Board of Elections plans to reach out to local town boards for input.
According to department administrators, the move may make logistics easier on election night and save some money by eliminating the need for a few poll inspectors. Recruiting poll inspectors has been a particular challenge for the board in recent years.
The Board of Elections doled out nearly $18,000 to pay poll inspectors for a county-wide Republican primary earlier this year. Despite the cost, voter turnout was low with less than 5 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot.
“You always have the expense whether voters show up or not, and unfortunately they didn’t,” said Democratic Party Commissioner Carol Franklin. “We still have to conduct it.”
Before combining polling sites, the Board of Elections has to wait for the end of once-in-a-decade legislative redistricting in New York State, which legislators are pressing to have finished by early 2022.
The department is also limited to consolidating polling districts with less than 2,000 registered voters.
Department heads are eying the townships of Smithville, Lincklaen, Otselic, and German in particular. German and Smithville already share a polling site.
Franklin, alongside Republican Commissioner Mary Lou Monahan, floated the notion of consolidating at a meeting of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee last week. Committee members said while they understand the reasoning, they worry about voter turnout.
“It’s my opinion that the voter count will go down,” said Lincklaen Supervisor Wayne Outwater.
“I know it won’t be a popular thing,” said Monahan, noting there are still “a lot of unknowns” to consider, including mandates yet to be handed down by the state. “This is not a negative ‘let’s get rid of polling sites’ thing. We’re trying to do things that make sense.”
Monahan added if - or when - polling places are consolidated, the department would likely stick with that site rather than rotate townships for each new election. Polling sites must meet certain criteria under state elections laws.
The Board of Elections plans to reach out to local town boards for input.
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