Commissioner questions seven early-voting sites; cites statute allowing one per 20,000 voters

A commissioner raised concerns about the number of early-voting sites used in the last election cycle, saying the county had seven early-voting locations despite what the commissioner described as statute guidance that would allow fewer.

"Statute says one and we had seven," the commissioner said, arguing that turnout at some sites was extremely low — "sometimes literally four or six people per day" — and that the county should weigh costs when it funds early-voting locations. The commissioner said the board, as steward of county finances, should press the elections board to review the number and placement of sites.

Another speaker clarified that state law sets the threshold at one early-voting site per 20,000 voters, and the board discussed the tension between access and cost. Commissioners did not direct staff to take immediate action; the speaker urged the elections board to reconsider site selection in future cycles.

No change to election policy or a formal referral was recorded in the meeting transcript; the discussion concluded with a suggestion to be mindful of costs in future elections planning.