The McLean County Board’s Finance Committee recommends spending an extra $215,000 to handle what could be unprecedented voter turnout for the November presidential election. McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael calls the worst-case scenario for taxpayers the best case scenario for Democracy.
Michael’s proposal adds 27 election judges to the 10 that were in place for the primary at Illinois State University polling places. She will also increase the number of touch-screen voting machines but Michael plans to lease them, saving $150 per machine, knowing the expected turnout might not be repeated in future elections.
The committee unanimously endorsed Michael’s more expensive option of two presented. Committee Vice Chair Erik Rankin says Michael’s so called Plan A goes a long way in addressing student complaints of long wait times and registration issues at Illinois State University polling places during the primary election. It should also silence critics, even if there are long lines. “I think when we pivot and look at it later on and people will ask, ‘did you do everything you possibly could to make the election run smoothly?’ and Plan A gets at that.”
More Early Voting Locations
The emergency spending plan that will go to the county board later this month also expands early voting locations and times to include Eastland Mall, Watterson Towers, Milner Library and the Bone Student Center, in addition to the Clerk’s Office in the Government Center. Austin Bertschy, President of the College Republicans at ISU, said he is pleased with the plan and believes it will help solve problems experienced with primary voting because of Illinois' new, same-day registration law that saw many students registering and voting on election day.
Bertschy also vowed to work with other campus groups to help get students registered and using the early voting options. Board Member Rich Buchanan had a battle cry for the campaign which he offered during the Finance Committee meeting. “Students, get your butts out there and get registered!”
Not All Money Could Be Spent
Kathy Michael acknowledges the general election could be like nothing we’ve ever seen but she emphasized she doesn’t think she will need to spend the entire $215,000 if the county board approves. She’ll determine needs based on developments in the presidential race and look for savings if the early voting campaign is successful. However, Michael will spend more for election judges if the county board also approves a recommended increase in pay from $145 to $200.
Board member Dave Selzer likes the flexibility the county board could give Michael to react to a strange election in which anything could happen. “I mean if it’s Bernie Sanders and the Libertarian and those are the only two left standing … you know, who knows? We don’t know that today so I’m glad we’ve got the dollars there and she can make those calls when it gets closer.”
