Where to Vote Confusion

[JoeP]

Now maybe this senior is having more senior moments or new information doesn't always stick in my brain but I recall voting at the Newton Township Building during the '04 presidential election.  This morning I headed there to cast my ballot and discovered there was no election taking place here.  When I inquired as to where - I was told that elections have been held at the Rec Center for the last 4 years - not here.

I write all this off as another senior moment but as I am leaving more cars are pulling in with voters.  Guess they didn't get the message either.  When I went to the Rec Center, several folks were grumbling about not knowing the election place had changed.  Later, when I passed the Township building, there were cars still going in.

So somehow, the word where to vote didn't get out to all the Newton residents.  So the Township supervisors again missed another opportunity to communicate with their constituents.  I know - "if ya all had come to a meeting ya would know a few things".  Or they will pass the buck for this confusion to the election officials (not my yob syndrome).  Just because someone else didn't do it doesn't mean you shouldn't pick up the slack.   Hey guys, Email is free, a few posters placed prominently in some local businesses would have helped get the word out.  At the very least a sign at the Township Building today and one along the nearby road for the last week directing residents to the Rec Center to vote would have eliminated a lot of confusion.

Same ole - same ole with these guys.

[davidk]

Joe,
I'm sorry about the confusion of voting places.
The site was changed last year at the behest of the Rec Committee.
The idea was to have more people visit the Rec Center.
Personally I do not like having elections at the Rec Center since it is several miles further down the Blvd. and essentially out of the way for many voters. In the past people would drive by and take a moment to vote.
When the change was made there should have been new voter registration cards sent to all registered voters in the township. Apparently this was not done. It is not the fault of the Supervisors, VR slipped up.

Every year multiple polling places are moved throughout the county. I often have people contact me fromm across the county as to where the new place is and even I have a tough time finding the info, especially if it's after hours and VR is closed.

There is also a legal notice printed in the classified section of the Times prior to each election notifying all voters where the polling places are located. Not that many people peruse the classifieds, and many that do are not familiar with their district and ward.
Fortunately here in Newton we have on one ward. Ransom, on the other hand, has three.

It could be worse. There have been several attempts to split the township as we are so big, (the third or fourth largest poll in the county I am told), and have so many voters turn out each election.
That would cause even more confusion as some of us would go to one poll and others elsewhere. Not to mention having to find enough people to staff each poll.

For the time being the poll will stay at the Rec Center and I will do my best to notify everyone to any changes.
Also, I will fight any attempt to split our poll in two.