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Omaha Steve

(99,635 posts) Mon Mar 19, 2012, 06:46 AM Mar 2012

Keep polling sites open, groups urge (close almost half of Douglas County's polling places)

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120319/NEWS01/703199926#keep-polling-sites-open-groups-urge

Published Monday March 19, 2012

By Roseann Moring

Omaha community leaders are asking a county official to reconsider his decision to close almost half of Douglas County's polling places, saying the change would disenfranchise poor and elderly voters.

"This is a fundamental part of our democracy," said Willie Barney, president of a coalition of north Omaha groups. "Why are we not doing what we can to improve access'' to voting?

But Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps said it's too late to change the plan.

The plan is designed to save about $115,000 in election costs. Phipps said he made the change in part because about one-third of Douglas County voters cast their ballots early and therefore don't use their polling places.

FULL story at link.

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Keep polling sites open, groups urge (close almost half of Douglas County's polling places) (Original Post) Omaha Steve Mar 2012 OP

Voters would have to drive only five to seven extra minutes liberal N proud Mar 2012 #1

liberal N proud

(60,334 posts)

1. Voters would have to drive only five to seven extra minutes

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Mon Mar 19, 2012, 06:51 AM

Mar 2012

They are making the assumption that all voters have a vehicle to drive that extra 5 to 7 minutes.

They also claim it will save $115,000. Unless they are reducing the number of preciencts, I don't see how they can save that much, they still need poll workers for that number of people and voting machines.

Always trying to make it harder for people to vote.

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