EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Commissioners Court approved a resolution on Monday, March 24 supporting the continuation of the Countywide Polling Place Program.
This program allows voters to cast their ballots, similar to early voting, at any voting center on Election Day.
“Vote centers have been popular among El Paso County voters since first used in the November 2020 Presidential Election,” said Lisa Wise, El Paso County elections administrator.
“El Paso County voters have come to rely on the convenience and choice that the Countywide Polling Place Program offers. In our most recent Presidential Election, 60% of voters who voted on Election Day chose to vote outside their precinct. That’s an increase from 27% in the November 2020 Presidential Election,” Wise added.
The program also allows voters with disabilities to cast their ballots at a vote center that best suits their needs, the County said in ints news release.
The resolution further supports the use of electronic pollbooks, emphasizing that eliminating them would limit transparency and hinder the ability for voters, parties, and candidates to perform their own audits and reconciliation during elections, the County Elections Department said.
“The El Paso County Commissioners Court supports the continued use of countywide polling places and electronic pollbooks, recognizing their importance in making voting more accessible, secure, and efficient for all residents,” the resolution states.
“It would be devastating if the program were discontinued, creating mass confusion across the County. Our office has received positive feedback since the introduction of the program, and voters love the convenience of voting at a location of their choice, whether it’s located near their place of employment, favorite shopping spot or their home,” Wise added.
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