An Easier Vote Comes At A Cost
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An Easier Vote Comes At A Cost
Advance voting is underway and the numbers are picking up, as ballots are cast in Augusta's sales tax election. That shows the interest is growing, but also reflects that two additional voting sites...
Advance voting is underway and the numbers are picking up, as ballots are cast in Augusta’s sales tax election. That shows the interest is growing, but also reflects that two additional voting sites are now open. It’s more convenient for voters, but is it worth the cost? WJBF News Channel 6’s George Eskola has the story.
Published: June 10, 2009
Updated: June 10, 2009
Augusta ,GA—Bill Dotson is doing his duty, voting early in the sales tax election…and being able to vote at the Warren Road Community Center makes it that much easier.
Bill Dotson, voter: “It’s very convenient. I live across Washington Road. I like this I vote early. every time now.“
Before this week, those voting early had to go to the Elections Office, at the Municipal Building. But, on Monday, Elections officials opened the two additional satellite locations at Warren Road, and the Henry Brigham Center.
For many early voters, it’s a lot easier to go to the satellite locations than go downtown to vote.
“Absolutely there’s no parking problem there’s no issues you just come in and you’re out in two seconds,” said Terry Liebowitz.
State law requires advance voting, but only at the elections office, it’s the local election board’s call to open the two satellite locations. It’s convenient, but it comes with a cost.
“It costs about $5,000, or about $2,500 a site, to have them open for the week,” says Richmond County Elections Director Lynn Bailey.
“Not smart not smart quit spending when you’re broke you don’t spend when I don’t have the money I would stand in line for the five thousand dollars,” says Dotson.
With the thousands voting early during last November’s presidential election, it made sense to have the two satellite locations open, but how about a sales tax referendum, where only 10 to 12 percent of the voters will be taking part?
“With a jurisdiction our size, I think it would almost be irresponsible not to have those sites open and not to provide that service to the voters. Yeah, I think it’s certainly justified,” said Bailey.
The Elections Board voted to open the satellite locations for advance voting for every citywide election. The board is made up of appointments from both the Democratic and Republican Parties.
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