The Union County Election Commission on Thursday voted unanimously to close four polling places in El Dorado and Felsenthal, citing cost savings.
El Dorado's four polling places will be consolidated into one at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. 8th St., and Felsenthal's will simply close.
"It's strictly economics," Commission Chair Cliff Wright, a Republican, said. "Not only is it a cost saving decision, but it will also improve the voting procedures and speed up the voting process throughout the county."
Information provided by the Election Commission illustrates potential cost savings of up to $3,705 from the closure of the three polling places in El Dorado. Wright said those funds can be used to hire more poll workers to staff polling locations in the county.
"We're going to increase the number of workers to a cost of $1,755, which is still a savings of $3,705. Multiply that times two and you'll come up with over $7,000," Wright said, referring to the two elections scheduled next year, the primaries and general.
Additionally, the closures will free up 12 voting machines, which can be placed at county polling places and be used as back-ups.
"I'll have three extra poll books to have around other places, I'll have 12 extra ExpressVotes that people can vote on at other places and three tabulators, so I can better use the resources that I have available," Republican Commissioner Mike Hayes said. "I can get more people, but I can't get more machines... So I just think this is a much better way of utilizing the county machines."
Wright stressed that since the Union County Quorum Court voted in 2019 to transition from a traditional, residence-based precinct voting system to a voting center system, any registered voter in the county can vote at any polling place.
"People don't realize that we are now a voting center – what a big deal that is in giving people the opportunity to vote with ease," Wright said.
Commissioners previously discussed the possibility of consolidating voting locations in El Dorado to the Auditorium in 2021, but took no action at the time. After reviewing data collected in the 2020 and 2022 elections, Democratic commissioner Floyd Thomas said the plan "made dollars and sense."
"I'm sure it won't be 100% of people that like it, but the truth is, it makes dollars and sense and it makes convenience. We think that'll encourage more people to vote," Thomas said.
Hayes and Wright both said they live in Ward 4 and already have been voting at the Municipal Auditorium. Thomas said he usually votes at Wyatt Baptist Church.
Previously, in El Dorado, Ward 1's polling place was located at the Union County Fairgrounds; Ward 2's was at Hillsboro Church of Christ; and Ward 3's was at St. James Baptist Church.
Google Maps shows that there are 1.24 miles between the fairgrounds and the auditorium; 1.53 miles between Hillsboro Church of Christ and the auditorium; and 1.58 miles from St. James to the auditorium.
Felsenthal voters previously cast their ballots at Felsenthal City Hall. The closest polling places for those residents now will be either at the Huttig Community Center, 2.6miles from Felsenthal City Hall, or the Strong Community Center, 12.06 miles away.
El Dorado Mayor Paul Choate said he thinks the closure of those polling places will help save money.
"It's going to be cost effective. The upside of it is: it's centrally located in the community, it's handicap-accessible, it's large enough that you don't have to stand outside anywhere to stand in line. There are a lot of plusses to it," he said.
Choate added that he thinks it will be important for the community to work together to ensure anyone who wants to vote can make it to the polls.
"The only hesitation I have is the fact that it does take it away from some neighborhoods, but I think with churches and certain civic groups and neighbors, most anybody that wants to get out and vote should be able to get a ride to access a central voting area," he said. "It's about as central as a location in the city as we have."
Choate noted that he resides in Ward 4, so the changes won't have any impact on him.
Union County Judge Mike Loftin said he doesn't think the closures will cause any problems.
"What they've done is not going to be a problem for anybody. The one in Felsenthal, those people there can go to Huttig or Strong, which is really no big inconvenience, I wouldn't think, and then consolidating those in El Dorado, it only makes sense," he said.
The cost savings will be beneficial for the county, which Loftin said will be tightening its belt this year. The Union County Quorum Court's Finance Committee will present a draft 2024 budget this month on Nov. 16.
"We're not cutting services or anything; we're just having to tighten our belts a little on these budgets," Loftin said. "This will just save a little money, and with Union County having voting centers, they can vote anywhere they want to."
Loftin said his polling place is at Mount Union, but he usually votes at the Municipal Auditorium since he works in El Dorado every day.
A message left for Felsenthal Mayor Theresa Howard wasn't returned by press-time.
Commissioners noted during their meeting Thursday that the filing period for candidates planning to run for office in 2024 opens this Monday, Nov. 6, in the Union County Clerk's office at the county courthouse.