Panel is undecided on UA vote center

Turnout, access among its concerns

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Washington County Election Commission will decide next month whether to create a voting center at the University of Arkansas.

About 20 students, faculty and staff attended a meeting Monday to encourage commissioners to start a center.

"The campus is unified around this," said Ryann Alonso, co-director of external relations for the Associated Student Government.

The student-led proposal would allow voters countywide to cast ballots on campus at the student union during the two-week period leading up to election day. The center would not be open election day. Washington County last year began using voting centers, which allow residents to vote at any polling location in the county instead of by precinct.

Students said the university has about 31,000 students, faculty and staff who would be on campus as potential voters. Having a polling location at the university will increase voter turnout, students said.

"More than anything, we are excited about engaging young people in voting," said Connor Flocks, student government president.

The student association said it will pay for the voting center, which is expected to cost about $8,000. The association also will pay for about 12 parking places for poll workers and for the university's bus system to bring in more voters from off campus, students said.

Commissioners asked repeatedly whether potential voter turnout could justify a new location when other polling sites are nearby. A growing university population isn't enough, commissioner Renee Oelschlaeger said.

A polling location should benefit residents countywide, Chairman Bill Ackerman said.

"We don't want to put something up out there simply for the convenience of 800 students," Ackerman said. "We want to be sure we have a good voter turnout."

Alonso estimated the school could draw up to 9,000 voters during early voting, but Ackerman said turnout at centers at other universities has not been high. More than 10,000 people vote at the courthouse during early voting, said Jennifer Price, election coordinator.

Commissioners will consider potential voter turnout, access for all voters, available resources and whether the center can be put together under a short timeline, Ackerman said. Price said the commission has enough equipment to cover the proposed center, but Ackerman said the commission recently received new equipment and is still in the process of training.

There likely will be a voting center on campus eventually, but the timing might not be right for one now, Ackerman said. He and other commissioners said after the presentation they are undecided.

State Desk on 07/26/2016

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