Franklin County Bd of Elections to Consolidate Precincts

The Franklin County Board of Elections has voted to consolidate the county’s 13 voting precincts down to four based on the county commission districts.

At the board of commissioners work session Tuesday night, Franklin County Elections Supervisor Tess Eubanks presented commissioners with the plan.

Eubanks said the Board of Elections voted in March to consolidate precincts for a number of reasons, primarily cost savings.

 “As of a result of the election cycle, the costs of running an election have risen considerably,” Eubanks said. “On March 5, 2013 the board of Elections and Registrations voted to consolidate our precincts. According to Georgia Code 21-2-262, it is their duty to review and make changes to precincts as needed.”

Eubanks said the current 45-day voting cycle is costing the county $8,890 in just labor per election.

Eubanks said the Board of Elections explored various options and decided splitting the county into four voting regions was the best option.  Each district would contain between 2,826 and 3,117 registered, active voters.

Under the four-district plan, the labor costs to the county per election would be reduced to $2,740, Eubanks said.

Other reasons for the precinct consolidation, according to Eubanks include, quicker election results for the public, more efficient use of voting equipment, more quality control and a steady increase in the number of early voters.

Eubanks pointed to a number of  surrounding counties, such as Rabun, Stephens, Dawson, and Lowndes counties which have either consolidated down to one voting center or drastically reduced their number of precincts.

All, she said, have indicated a significant cost savings, between 30%- 50% per primary or general election and up to 75% per run-off elections.

Eubanks told the commissioners her board wants to do what is best for the voters.

 “The voters come first and we want to do what’s best for the voters, but we also want to be fiscally responsible with the budget that we’re given,” Eubanks said. “And from the evidence that we’re finding in other counties, this seems to be the best way to save money while still making the voters number one.”

“You’ve done your homework,” noted Franklin County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges.

Commissioner David Strickland noted increasing early voting would also be a good cost saving measure for the county.

Eubanks said she plans to launch a countywide education plan on the benefits of early voting.

“The more education we get out there, the more early voting will increase,” she said. “Right now, a lot of people don’t understand that it’s just like voting on election day.”

County commissioners had no other comments on the Board of Elections’ decision and are not required to approve it, but Eubanks said they would like to have the county’s support.

Eubanks said the Board of Elections is holding a 30-day comment period where voters are invited to call or stop by the Elections and Registrations office to voice their opinions or ask questions.

They can also view a map of the new voting districts.

At the end of the 30-day comment period, Eubanks said there will be a public hearing at the Elections and Registrations office.

A date for the public hearing has not yet been set.