PUTNAM COUNTY — Now that the county primary elections have passed, election commissioners are looking at how to make precincts a better experience for voters during the next round of elections in August.
While precincts were reportedly “pretty good” as a whole, the Putnam County Election Commission met earlier this week and addressed issues that popped up during the May 6 primary elections. And one of those major concerns for commissioners was that there wasn’t enough accessible parking for voters on Election Day at several schools — which make up 11 of the county’s 25 precincts — due to teacher in-service.
“I think, in generalities, the biggest problem was that there was in-service, and thus teachers were parked...all around where the voters needed that space,” said Debbie Steidl, election administrator, about what election officers at those precincts reported to the office.
Steidl said Jerry Boyd, director of schools, worked to help “clean some of that up” and “he tried to work on it ahead of time.”
“He’s just been very forthright and very accommodating,” she said. “I believe this next time will be better.”
Terry Herrin, election commissioner, went to several precincts that day and expressed concern over using school gymnasiums at some schools for voting.
“When we were trying to talk to people, there was too much echoing and too much noise,” he said. “If it’s a busy election, there’s going to be a lot of people in there milling about, talking, making a lot of noise.”
He also said the lighting makes it hard to see for some voters.
According to Steidl, Boyd plans to discuss these concerns with election commissioners during their regular meeting next month.
The election commission also went over some issues found at the ommunity center precincts, particularly at the Cookeville Community Center. Reportedly, the inside of the building was too hot and the water from the faucet was rusty and undrinkable when voters tried to use it.
“Mr. Herrin was there with those folks and he said it was awful for them,” Steidl said about the commissioner, who brought bottles of water to voters.
Steidl noted the county was currently working to replace the center’s HVAC, which was discussed by the county commission last summer and budgeted for this fiscal year. She said maintenance told her the unit should be ready by August.
As for the rusty water, Herrin said, “There’s probably not much you can do there other than sending bottled water to them.”
Another issue at the center had to do with signs about the center as a voting precinct.
“We need to do a better job of signage and get our officers to make sure we get some signs out there,” Steidl said.
Other issues addressed included installing a large sign at the Buffalo Valley Community Center to say it is closed for Election Day and that there was not enough parking Algood Community Center, mainly due to parents attending a children’s ball game that day who took up the spots.
Community center issues are being reported to the county maintenance department, according to Steidl.
While precincts were reportedly “pretty good” as a whole, the Putnam County Election Commission met earlier this week and addressed issues that popped up during the May 6 primary elections. And one of those major concerns for commissioners was that there wasn’t enough accessible parking for voters on Election Day at several schools — which make up 11 of the county’s 25 precincts — due to teacher in-service.
“I think, in generalities, the biggest problem was that there was in-service, and thus teachers were parked...all around where the voters needed that space,” said Debbie Steidl, election administrator, about what election officers at those precincts reported to the office.
Steidl said Jerry Boyd, director of schools, worked to help “clean some of that up” and “he tried to work on it ahead of time.”
“He’s just been very forthright and very accommodating,” she said. “I believe this next time will be better.”
Terry Herrin, election commissioner, went to several precincts that day and expressed concern over using school gymnasiums at some schools for voting.
“When we were trying to talk to people, there was too much echoing and too much noise,” he said. “If it’s a busy election, there’s going to be a lot of people in there milling about, talking, making a lot of noise.”
He also said the lighting makes it hard to see for some voters.
According to Steidl, Boyd plans to discuss these concerns with election commissioners during their regular meeting next month.
The election commission also went over some issues found at the ommunity center precincts, particularly at the Cookeville Community Center. Reportedly, the inside of the building was too hot and the water from the faucet was rusty and undrinkable when voters tried to use it.
“Mr. Herrin was there with those folks and he said it was awful for them,” Steidl said about the commissioner, who brought bottles of water to voters.
Steidl noted the county was currently working to replace the center’s HVAC, which was discussed by the county commission last summer and budgeted for this fiscal year. She said maintenance told her the unit should be ready by August.
As for the rusty water, Herrin said, “There’s probably not much you can do there other than sending bottled water to them.”
Another issue at the center had to do with signs about the center as a voting precinct.
“We need to do a better job of signage and get our officers to make sure we get some signs out there,” Steidl said.
Other issues addressed included installing a large sign at the Buffalo Valley Community Center to say it is closed for Election Day and that there was not enough parking Algood Community Center, mainly due to parents attending a children’s ball game that day who took up the spots.
Community center issues are being reported to the county maintenance department, according to Steidl.
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