By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Following a presentation by Henry County Elections Administrator DeLaina Green, the County Commission Monday night unanimously approved the implementation of voting centers in the county. Attending the meeting in suppot of the plan were members of the County Board of Elections and a number of poll workers.
The plan was also unanimously approved by the Board of Elections at its last meeting.
The Henry County Commission unanimous vote will be transmitted to State Sen. John Stevens and House Rep. Tandy Darby.
Green provided background on the plan, which has been under discussion for several years by the Election Commission. Green presented a plan to consolidate voting precincts in 2019, which coincided with redistricting and with state regulations for voting centers which included ADA accessibility, security, internet/hard wiring access, enough square footage to meet voter turnout for presidential elections, etc.
Under the plan, Henry County will have eight voting centers and all voters can cast their ballots at any one of them on Election Days. Green noted that no one in the county will be farther than 15 minutes away from any of the voting centes.
Green spoke about low turnout experienced in Henry County, noting, “I don’t know why it’s so low, but I can give you a solution to that. And that is voting centers.”
All of the five counties in Tennessee that have already moved to voting centers have experienced increases in voter turnout, she said. The voting center plan would be effective for the March 2024 election.
“With all change comes risks,” Green said. “But in this case the positives outweigh the negatives.”
A necessary upgrade to Voting equipment will cost some $40,000 and County Mayor John Penn Ridgeway said that upgrade would be necessary regardless of whether the voting center plan is implemented. He said the cost started at $100,000, but the state is picking up a large share of the cost. He also noted it is a one-time cost.
Commissioner Randy Gean said, “I really like the idea of voters being able to vote at any of the voting centers, rather than going to their precincts.” Commissioner Marty Visser agreed, saying it will be more convenient for voters.
In answer to questions from Commissioner Ralph Wiles, Green said a required trial run was conducted and there were no connectivity issues all day. She said there are safeguards against voters voting in more than one center on Election Day. “We will have a live connection, so we will be able to see the names of people voting at any of the centers.”
–The Leadership Henry County class was in attendance at the meeting and Ridgeway said they were learning how local government operates during the day.
–The Commission voted to authorize the sale of delinquent tax properties at a reduced price. County Attorney Rob Whitfield said 77 parcels were sold at an auction held earlier. “It was a very successful auction. Taxes were collected way up in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
However, four parcels proved impossible to sell, three of which was due to the presence of meth in the properties. Recently, buyers were found for the properties–at $500 each. The properties are on Rison Street, Elmore Street and Gordon Street.
Photo: Elections Administrator DeLaina Green presents the voting center plan to the commission. Shannon McFarlin photo.