Boyd to use super site May 20

By CARRIE KIRSCHNER
The Independent

CATLETTSBURG May 07, 2008 11:14 pm

— Nine Boyd County precincts will vote at one super site in the Kyova Mall on May 20 as part of a pilot program aimed at saving taxpayers money and improving efficiency.
Boyd County Clerk Debbie Jones said the Boyd County Board of Elections has approved allowing the nine precincts, which ordinarily vote at three polling locations, to relocate to the mall for the upcoming primary election.The move will affect approximately 8,500 registered voters, Jones said.
Fannin I, Fannin II and Cannonsburg precincts, which normally vote at the El Hasa Shrine Temple, will all vote at Kyova along with the Princess precinct, whose regular polling location is at the Boyd Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Greenhill, Meads I, Meads II, Rockdale-Summit and Garner precincts will also be voting at Kyova and not at the Boyd County Middle School.
Jones said the Kyova Mall is approximately one mile to 11/2 miles from all three of the polling locations. She said the move will save a modest amount of money — only about $200 — but will also test the county’s contingency voting plan.
Counties are required, she said, to have a plan in the event a disaster would make a polling location inaccessible. Kyova has plenty of parking, is handicap accessible and is centrally located in the county, she said.
The small number of races on the primary ballot was a primary contributor to the decision, Jones said. In some precincts no local races are on the ballot, voters will only cast their preferences for the Democratic presidential nominee race and the U.S. Senate and House.
The super site will also make setting up and closing down the polls easier. Eighteen voting machines can be delivered and removed from one spot instead of three separate locations.
Jones said the super site may be utilized again during the general election and in other years when there are limited races.
“We’re going to see how this pilot program works in the primary. We probably will do it again at the general election,” she said. “The board is all for it. I think it’s going to be well-received.”
CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.