The number of poll workers for potential Starke County vote centers was a topic of concern during last week’s election board meeting. Board Member Harrison Fields noted that Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel’s preliminary proposal didn’t call for any sheriffs.
“You’re not figuring for a sheriff at these places?” Fields asked.
“Because the sheriffs are obsolete in vote centers,” the clerk answered.
“Obsolete?” Fields continued. “Where did you get that? Who told you that, or where did you read that?”
Welter-Manuel replied, “Go to any vote center plan. Do research. Learn about vote centers. It’s the Secretary of State’s website. Education is key.”
Deputy Clerk Colleen Hodge pointed out that one of the main reasons for having a sheriff – making sure voters are on the list for that particular precinct – would go away entirely with vote centers.
But Fields felt the extra workers would be good from a security standpoint and if unforeseen problems arise. “I watch the news every day, every day, seven days a week,” Fields said. “In fact, I was in the City of Knox here yesterday and listened to two people talk about the Knox School right here and the new security measures. You see it on the news all the time, security, security, security. I would like to see a sheriff sitting at the door.”
Others pointed out that it would be each vote center’s inspector’s job to greet voters and handle any issues. If more help is needed, they could call the election board or police. Welter-Manuel also questioned whether the election board could legally add just one sheriff at each vote center or if both a Republican and Democrat would be needed.
Election Board President Marcia Bedrock figured that the cost of adding two sheriffs for each vote center would fit within next year’s budget, but she wasn’t sure she was in favor. “Well, if the only thing that the sheriff is going to do is stand outside and say, ‘Welcome. Have your ID ready,’ and we’re paying that person $105 to do that [and if two people are needed] we’re paying $210 for that to happen,” Bedrock said. “So it’s a lot of extra bloat.”
Welter-Manuel agreed to ask the state election board if it would be legal to add only one sheriff to each vote center.
