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Home My WebLink About3-21-13 News Release-Vote Centers T 41 City of South Common Council 1865 441 County-City Building ® 227 W.Jefferson Blvd (574) 235-9321 Soutb Bend,Indiana 46601-1830 Fax (574) 235.9173 http://www.southbendin.gov Derek D. Dieter March 21, 2013 President Commissioner Andy Kostielney, President Hand-Delivered Oliver Davis Board of Commissioners of St. Joseph County Vice-President 7th Floor County-City Building Karen L. White South Bend, Indiana 46601 Chairperson, Committee of the Whole Mr. Rafael Morton, County Council President Hand-Delivered St. Joseph County Council Tim Scott 4' Floor County-City Building First District South Bend, Indiana 46601 Henry Davis, Jr. Mr. James F Korpal, Chairperson Second District St. Joseph County Election Board Valerie Schey 704 West Washington Street Third District South Bend, Indiana 46601 Fred Ferlic Re: Vote Centers Fourth District David Darner Dear President Kostielney, President Morton &Mr. Korpal: Fifth District We read with great disappointment an article on the front page of today's South Oliver J. Davis Bend Tribune entitled "Vote Center Group Gets to Work". The article noted that Sixth District a "vote center committee" met yesterday and has as its goal a "plan by midsummer". Derek D. Dieter At Large We are enclosing copies of our November 19, 2013 letter sent to each of you. We are also enclosing a copy of the April 23, 2012 sent to President Kostielney and Gavin Ferlic At Large President Morton which was signed by the entire South Bend Common Council. Karen L. White We never received a written response from any of you, however it was our At Large understanding based on limited verbal conversation that the "Vote Center Committee" would be reaching out to the City Councils of both South Bend and Mishawaka,rather than just barreling ahead for the sake of"convenience". We note that the trial run for a vote center program in Elkhart County is now a "dead issue" [See enclosed February 27, 2013 Goshen News article entitled "Vote Centers A Dead Issue for Goshen Referendum"] It is our understanding that the state funding for V-STOP program, which is a voting system technical oversight program which certifies voting equipment is no longer available. We have many, many questions and concerns some of which focus on: ® What is the "convenience" to the elderly and the low-income individuals by having to travel much farther and at great personal expense in order to cast their votes? • How much will the proposed conversion cost? Will the City of South Bend be expected to pay for any of the conversion costs when we are not part of the discussions and do not have even one(1) seat at the table? ® What type of equipment is proposed to be used? How will any new purchases be funded? We also read in tody's paper that the Vote Center Committee will hold their next meeting on April 17 ? Will the cities of South Bend or Mishawaka have a seat at the table at this meeting. Our letter of February 18, 2013 requested "...copies of document which the St. Joseph County Election Board used in making their recommendation that vote centers should be created". As of this date, we have received nothing. Our citizens deserve that a fair and transparent process be used at all stages of discussing the vote center concept. To do anything less, would not be in anyone's best interest. We hope for the sake of good government, that you will contact us. Thank you. Sin erely, Derek D. Dieter Council reside a aver avis Council Vice-President Enclosures (3) cc: The South Bend Common Council Dr. Deborah Fleming, St. Joseph County Republican Chairperson Vote centers a dead issue for Goshen referendum» Goshen Nevus, Goshen, IN Page 1 of 2 Goshen News, Goshen, IN February 27, 2013 Vote centers a dead issue for Goshen referendum By SCOTT WIEISSEA THE GOSHEN NEWS GOSHEN—State- and local-level funding issues have stalled a trial run of the vote center program in Elkhart County. Circuit Court Clerk Wendy Hudson has been touting the effort that was enabled through state legislation signed in 2011. Under the program, traditional polling places would be replaced with vote centers spread throughout the county.Voters would be able to vote where they choose,regardless of the precinct in which they live. The program was set to be tested locally this fall during a referendum on the proposed community center in Goshen. That plan has gone awry. Hudson wanted to use the vote centers in the referendum as a test to get the program ready for 2014. However, she said Tuesday that while Elkhart County Commissioners and Council members support the idea, they can't back funding to implement it for 2014. The other fiscal roadblock involves V-STOP (voting system technical oversight program). Hudson indicated the state funding for V-STOP—a required program for vendors to certify their voting equipment—is gone. According to Hudson, this creates a roadblock for Elkhart County officials to purchase new equipment of any type. She also said no one at the state level is quite sure how vendors are going to recertify their existing equipment or certify new equipment. Hudson said she and the County Commissioners feel it will be in the best interests of voters not to use the vote centers this fall. She feels having the vote center model for the special election and then switching back to precinct-style voting will confuse voters. Nonetheless, Hudson would like to see vote centers in Elkhart County at some point. "We'll keep developing it, and talking about it...," she said Tuesday. "I'm hopeful at some point we can move toward vote centers." Hudson indicated local elections will be conducted with the county's existing voting equipment. The funding issues will impact the referendum for the proposed community center this fall, said Goshen http://goshennews.com/breakingnews/xS 64663 812/Vote-centers-a-dead-issue-for-Goshen-... 3/21/2013 Vote centers a dead issue for Goshen referendum» Goshen News, Goshen, IN Page 2 of 2 Mayor Allan Kauffman. "We will be using precinct voting and not the (trial run)vote center program. We are at the mercy of state legislators," Kauffman said. "I know Wendy is disappointed we can't try it this fall." Goshen News reporter Sherry Van Arsdall contributed to this report. http://goshe,n ews.com/breakingnews/x564663812/Vote-centers-a-dead-issue-for-Goshen-... 3/21/2013 �apLl T,iF18� �rJa City of South �PEACE�i Common Council 1865 441 County-City Building s 227 W.Jefferson Blvd (574) 235-9321 South Bend,Indiana 46601-1830 Fax (574) 235-9173 Derek D. Dieter February 19, 2013 l�ttp:f I w w w:s o uth ben di n,g ov President Oliver J. Davis Commissioner Andrew Kostielney, President Vice-President Board of Commissioners of St. Joseph County 7t'Floor County-City Building Karen L. White South Bend, Indiana 46601 Chairperson, Committee of the Whole Mr. James F. Korpal, Chairperson Tim Scott St. Joseph County Election Board First District 704 West Washington Street South Bend, Indiana 46601 Henry Davis, Jr. Second District Mr. Rafael Morton, County Council President St. Joseph County Council Valerie ey 4" Floor County-City Building Third Dis strict South Bend, Indiana 46601 Fred Ferlic Fourth District Re: Vote Centers David Varner Dear President Kostielney, Mr. Korpal, and President Morton: Fifth District On February 15, 2013, the local news media reported that the St. Joseph County Oliver J. Davis Election Board announced members of a new "vote center committee" who will Sixth District make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The media also reported Derek D. Dieter that the St. Joseph County Election Board also recommended that vote centers At Large should be created. Gavin Ferlic In light of these developments, we are enclosing a copy of a letter which was sent At Large on April 23, 2012 and was signed by all members of the Common Council. That Ietter recommended that a broad-based Study Committee be established which Karen L. White includes a representative from the South Bend Common Council. At Large We note that the Election Board's "vote center committee" includes three (3) persons representing the Republican Party and three (3) persons who represent the Democratic Party; as well as two (2) "advisory non-recommending"individuals. The Council would like to have the opportunity to be heard by the vote center committee, and yourselves. We therefore ask whether a representative from the Common Council will be asked to serve as an advisory member? Vote Centers February 18,2013 Page 2 Is the Election Board utilizing the information posted on the Indiana Secretary of State's website "Seven Steps to Becoming a Vote Center County", which includes a seven (7) step process, namely: Step 1: Gauge Interest- "Remember, vote centers are not right for every county..." Step 2:Form a Study Committee Step 3: Draft Your Plan Step 4: Seek Public Comment - Suggested that the draft be available"...for at least 30 days" Step 5:Election Board Approval--Would require a"unanimous"vote Step 6:pile Your Plan Step 7:Learn from Experience or is a different methodology being used, and if so, what is it. We also request copies of documents which the St. Joseph County Election Board used in making their recommendation that vote centers should be created. This topic is extremely important to our community, and we would like the citizens of the City of South Bend to have opportunities to have their voices heard. We look forward to your response as soon as possible. Thank you. Most sin rely, Derek D. Dieter Coun ' re 'dent O .. Davis Council Vice-President cc: Commissioner Marcia McClure Commissioner Dave Thomas Dr. Deborah Fleming, St. Joseph County Republican Chairperson 1330 East Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, Indiana 46617-3318 Mr. John Broden, St. Joseph County Democratic Chairperson 521 West Colfax Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46601-1505 q[3 TH Citv of Nouth Bend l r Common Council 1as5 441 County-City Building • 227W.Jefferson Blvd (574) 235-9321 South Bend,Indiana 46601-1830 Fax (574) 235-9173 April 23, 2012 http://www.southbendin.gov Derek D. Dieter President Commissioner Andrew Kostielney, President Oliver J. Davis Board of Commissioners of SL Joseph County Vice-President 7th Floor County-City Building South Bend, Indiana 46601 Karen L. White Chairperson, Committee Mr. Rafael Morton, County Council President of the Whole St. Joseph County Council Tim Scott 4th Floor County-City Building First District South Bend, Indiana 46601 Henry Davis, Jr. Re: Vote Centers Second District Dear President Kostielney and President Morton: Valerie Scbey Third District Recently, it was reported by the news media that the current 220 polling Fred Ferlic places in St. Joseph County may be reduced to a total 25 vote centers. The Fourth District news media also reported that the Board of County Commissioners welcomed input on this proposal. David Varner Fifth District As you are well aware, the City of South Bend typically budgets over a two-year period the required monies to cover the election costs involved Oliver J. Davis with city elections. Such costs are typically calculated by the County Sixtb District Auditor and then sent to the City Controller who then includes the appropriate line-item in the city budgets. Although there are studies which At Large e Derek Dieter show that vote centers may help control local government costs, the overall impact on voter turnout may also a valid criteria which should be Gavin Ferlic further studied. At Large The undersigned members of the South Bend Common Council believe Karen L. White that a broad-based Study Committee which includes a representative of At Large our Common Council, should be appointed to carefully study whether a vote center concept would be appropriate in St. Joseph County. We have had the opportunity to review many of the items posted on the Indiana Secretary of State's website on Vote Centers, which are available online at: www.votecenters.IN.gov. The 7-step process which is outlined on that website which includes a study committee as well as a proposed plan, we believe would be a good way to gather input from residents of St. Joseph County. Vote Center Letter April 23,2012 Page 2 We look forward to being included on this important matter, and Iook forward to your update. Thank you. Most sincerely, Tim Scott Dr. David Varner 1"District Council Member 5"' District Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. Oliver J, Davis, Council Vice-President 2"d District Council Member 6th District Council Member Valerie Schey Derek D. Dieter, Council President 3rd District Council Member Council Member at Large Dr. Fred Ferlic Gavin Ferlic 4"' District Council Member Council Member at Large Karen L. White Council Member at Large cc: Commissioner Bob Kovach, Vice-President of the Board Commissioner Dave Thomas, Member of the Board Council Member Mark A. Catanzarite, Council President Pro-Tempore Council Member Dale R. DeVon, Council Vice President Pro-Tempore