By Gary Nelson / gnelson@crossville-chronicle.com
The Cumberland County Election Commission has approved a plan to combine voting precincts for the upcoming election in order to "save funds and eliminate confusion."
"Economically it just makes sense to consolidate," said Administrator of Elections Sharon York.
The plan will eliminate roughly 16 poll worker positions.
Also reducing positions is a new state law that makes poll books obsolete for signatures — that operation will now be automated and digital.
"Eliminating the poll books will cut out between one to three workers per precinct," York said.
The plan of consolidating voter precincts will eliminate voting precinct locations at the Art Circle Library building and the Hebbertsburg Community Center. Also, one location at the Community Complex where 1st District voters voted is being eliminated.
All voters who vote in the 2nd District will be moved to vote at the Cumberland County Community Complex.
All 1st District voters will be moved to vote at Cornerstone Baptist Church.
The voters who vote in the 6th District at the Hebbertsburg Community Center will be moved to cast their ballots in Crab Orchard at the Crab Orchard City Hall building.
The changes were approved in a 3-2 vote at the Cumberland County Election Commission meeting Monday night. Voting in favor of the plan were Republican commissioners Denver Cole, Thomas Henderson and Calvin Smart.
Voting against the changes and the plan were Democratic commissioners Lisa Phillips and Bob Austin.
"A lot of people won't like it and will have a problem. When you move their location out of their community, they don't like it ... All I'm saying is be prepared for the feedback," Election Commissioner Bob Austin said.
"I know. They may have a problem with it, but in this economy and budget reduction we have to save money wherever we can," Election Commission Chairman Calvin Smart said.
All those voters who are moved will be mailed a notice from the Cumberland County Election Commission explaining where they will now vote and they will also receive a new voter's registration card.
The consolidation will also free up three voting machines. Some of those may be used for early voting.
York said the plan was conceived using voting figures from the 2008 presidential election.
"We were going by the number of voters in each district on election day versus early voting figures. More and more people are early voting. This consolidation will make it easier and cause less confusion on election day," York said.
Previously, voters from both 1st District and 2nd District were voting at the Community Complex.
"It created a lot of confusion and this should help eliminate that," York said.
The plan is ongoing and some other voting precincts may be consolidated in the future, York said.
Another part of the motivation behind the consolidation is a requirement to reduce expenses.
"The county wants us to reduce our budget by 12 percent and we have to save funds in whatever areas possible," York said.
