Voting centers to replace polls in Imperial County
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – Imperial County is changing the way people vote, aiming to make it easier and more flexible.
Starting next year, voters won’t be tied to one polling place. Instead, they’ll be able to vote at any voting center in the County, and they’ll have more days to do it.
“I think the advantages lie on the convenience for the voters, it gives them more flexibility,” said Linsey Dale, Registrar of Voters. “We’re hoping that by offering more opportunities to vote in person that it will increase our voter participation.”
The county plans to open 14 voting centers and keep eight 24-hour ballot drop boxes. Imperial is following the lead of Yuma County, which made a similar switch several years ago.
Officials are still deciding exactly where to place the centers, and they’re asking for help from the public.
“We want to hear from the community,” Dale said. “We are looking for locations that are ADA compliant, that are near public transportation locations, and have ample parking. We want them to be convenient for our community.”
For some voters, the changes could make a big difference. Imperial County voter Jillen Kennedy said voting hasn’t always been easy.
“This last time I had to vote, it was one of those things where either I drop it off before I make it into work early in the morning, or it wasn’t gonna get turned in at all,” she said. “So I had to make the choice.”
But she’s hopeful the new system will make things smoother saying, “Especially having expanded hours and places that are designated for you to go that maybe aren’t so difficult to access.”
Public comments and suggestions may be submitted in person at the Registrar of Voters Office, by fax at (442) 265-1062, or by email to VoterServices@co.imperial.ca.us.