Voters in the upcoming May 3 Primary Election in Jackson County should be prepared for a change.
Formerly nearly every voting precinct in the county had a place to vote; over 33 polling places, according to county clerk Melissa Hays. Next month’s election will have seven places throughout the county to vote.
“Formerly voters had only one option to cast their ballot based on the precinct in which they reside,” said Hayes. “Vote Centers give voters the option to vote anywhere in the county.”
She explained that the legislature has allowed counties to replace precinct polling places with vote centers. “This will be a cost saving measure and make the election process more manageable,” she said adding that it had become extremely difficult to find election workers for every precinct.
This is the first year for vote centers being used in Jackson County. But over half—59 of Indiana’s 92 counties—have opted to use vote centers due to rising election costs and ongoing election security requirements, Hayes said.
Seven geographically placed voting centers will be open to all voters from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Seymour, the most populous community in the county, will have three places to vote:
•Jackson County Learning Center
•Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 108
•Calvary Baptist Church
Brownstown will have one voting center at the Enclosed Shelterhouse at the municipal swimming pool.
The Medora Christian Church will be the voting center in the southwest part of the county..
The Freetown Community Center will be a voting center for the northwest part of the county.
Crothersville Baptist Church will be a voting center in the southeast part of the county.
“Voters no longer need to vote in their precinct,” said Hayes. “They can vote in any of the seven vote centers in the county. If someone from Pershing Township finds themselves in Crothersville on election day, they can vote in Crothersville. If someone from Medora works in Seymour, they can vote in Seymour.”
“Since this is new and a change from tradition, our office is anticipating some questions,” said Hayes. Voters can go online to www.indianavoters.in.gov to find the answer to many of their questions. Those who wish to talk with the county clerk’s office can do so by calling 812-358-6116 or 358-6120.
Voters who prefer not to wait until election day to vote can vote early at:
•Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour
•Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 108 in Seymour
•Enclosed Shelterhouse at the Brownstown Municipal swimming pool.
An ad promoting early voting locations, dates and hours can be found on Page 5 of this week’s Times.