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Montgomery County to cut number of polling places from 360 to 220

Consolidation would save money, make average precinct size about 1,000 voters

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 11:05 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

DAYTON — Voting precincts will be consolidated in Montgomery County under a plan set for a vote by the county board of elections on Tuesday, Nov. 24, according to Steve Harsman, board director.

The move could change voting locations and will result in more people being eligible to vote at each precinct, Harsman said. It will save the county up to $100,000 during major elections and save other jurisdictions and the board money during off-year elections when costs are billed to those with ballot issues.

“This is by far the largest precinct redistribution we’ve ever done,” said Harsman.

The number of precincts would shrink to 360 from 548. Harsman said the average number of voters in a precinct will rise to 1,000 from the current 700. State law limits the number to 1,400.

Some polling places include more than one precinct, so Harsman expects the total number of polling places to decline from about 360 to 220. Additional lines and poll workers will be added at busier precincts when necessary.

“We don’t anticipate the precinct merges to create any longer lines than we had,” Harsman said.

Harsman, a Democrat, drew up the new precinct proposal with Deputy Director Betty Smith, a Republican, and with input from the four-member bipartisan board.

Registered voters will be notified prior to the May primary and again before the November general election, and signs will be posted on former polling places, Harsman said.

Fewer polls will mean the county has to hire fewer poll workers, use fewer electronic voting machines, and spend less on materials.

It also means the county will have machines in reserve to replace those that break, which could eliminate the need for a hardware and software maintenance contract, Harsman said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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Esrati should get a life and read the laws before acting like he knows what he is talking about. Does he even no what the Sunshine law is. I think he got too much sun. Esrati is a loser and always will be.

Voter
10:10 PM, 11/17/2009

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Mr. Esrati, are you coming or going? On your site, you seem to think it's a good idea that will save the county money. On here, you complain about the BOE not having maps of the changes. There aren't any changes, yet! The vote is a week away. Just because Mr. Harshman is talking like it's a done deal, doesn't mean it is.

shellymoe
6:04 PM, 11/17/2009

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It should have been done years ago. Cut them even more.

Steve
6:03 PM, 11/17/2009

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I've been a pollworker in Montgomery county for several years. Every class I've attended emphasized the importance of the absentee ballot. In cases where they have to be done at the polling location, the pollworkers must make sure the voter properly completes the paperwork. By mail, voters must provide their DL# or last 4 of their SS#. The folks at the BOE work double shifts & sometimes all night to open, verify & count absentee ballots. To avoid this mess when you vote, tell them when you move!

shellymoe
5:38 PM, 11/17/2009

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I don't care if they cut it down to 1 polling place, I'll go there and vote. I'm not one of the lazy welfare suckers who sit in their HUD house and fill out the absentee, I think all who are physically capable should have to go to the place to vote. I do it so I can vote against every school and hospital issue that's on the ballet. I send my kids to Catholic school, why the heck should I have to pay twice for school? Give us vouchers and I'll vote with my money. Fairborn schools ****!

jd
5:22 PM, 11/17/2009

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