Wolk bill will allow Solano County to try "vote centers"

Key committee approves a one-year test run of more stable, accessible polling locations

SACRAMENTO–Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to allow Solano County to test more efficient and accessible polling places passed the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting yesterday on a 7-0 bipartisan vote.

Assembly Bill 3024 would allow Solano County to establish “vote centers” in lieu of precinct polling places as a one-year pilot project during the 2009 local elections. These centers are defined as a polling place at which any registered voter in the county holding the election may vote, regardless of the precinct in which the voter resides. The centers’ advantages would include more stable, well-known locations with more specialized and better-trained poll workers, greater accessibility for disabled voters, faster and more accurate voter check-in, and better oversight by election officials.

“This bill is about testing new methods to improve voter participation,” said Wolk. “Having vote centers would mean not having to hunt for your polling place every year or, even worse, ending up at last year’s polling place. It would mean voters could get to their polling place, vote, and get home faster. It would mean you could live in Dixon and vote in Fairfield or Vallejo. And it would mean greater access to polling places for the disabled.”

“We’re excited about this proposal, because it has the potential to offer something for everybody,” said Deborah Seiler, Election Manager with the Solano County Registrar of Voters. “Currently, voters don’t necessarily know where to vote, because we unfortunately have to change their polling places from time to time. One of the objectives of this proposal is to make polling locations stable, so the voters will have a sense of certainty about where to go to vote.

“Another advantage of this system would be that people could go into any one of the voting centers in the county and vote their own ballot. This would be an advantage to any voter who wants to vote near where they work. We think it will really help with the enfranchisement of voters.”

Colorado’s Larimer County has used the “vote center” system three times, reporting voter satisfaction, increased turnout, and improved accessibility of polling places, among other advantages. During the November 2004 general election, the county’s third time using the system, it experienced a 93.5 percent turnout—with less than a 30 minute wait-time.

“California has a long tradition of neighborhood precinct voting, but new accessibility requirements and new trends in voting invite fresh approaches to better serve voters and make more efficient use of resources,” concluded Wolk.

The bill, which will next be heard on the floor of the State Assembly, is supported by the Secretary of State and Solano County.