Weeks, city tentatively reach compromise for early voting

Palm Coast Observer
News

City and elections officials appeared to have reached a compromise at a special meeting Monday as to which rooms at the Palm Coast Community Center will be used for early voting.

Under a proposal by Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts at Monday’s hour-long meeting, Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks will use the large room at the Community Center (the one that is used to hold two City Council meetings per month) for two days during the elections season: primary Election Day and general Election Day.

But early voting will take place in the smaller room (rooms 107 and 108, which can be split into two smaller rooms or open up as one room).

The compromise, which hasn’t been officially offered, comes after months of back-and-forth between Weeks and the City Council.

The City Council on Tuesday officially agreed to send the proposal letter to Weeks, who showed up and make a public comment.

Changes in the Florida Legislature last year allow the Supervisor of Elections to use the Community Center (in addition to stadiums, civic centers and other facilities) as early voting locations. Previously, early voting was done solely at the Supervisor of Elections Office and the Flagler County Public Library, in Palm Coast.

With the Community Center now available, early voting locations increase by 50% — there were two locations last election. In 2014, there will be three.

City Councilmen David Ferguson and Bill McGuire appeared to be in support of Netts’ offer, but City Councilman Bill Lewis wasn’t so impressed.

“I’m not very sympathetic to the argument,” Lewis said. “The comfort of voting has never been there, so I’m not too concerned about how someone feels about waiting in line to vote. I’m not sympathetic with someone not being comfortable with standing in the rain or a long line. ... That doesn’t bother me.”

Under the proposed compromise, the city would either not have a meeting the week of the general election (Nov. 4), or it would move the meeting to City Marketplace. According to the city’s charter, at least one meeting per month must be held at the Community Center.

Officials were also concerned about lack of parking at the Community Center.

The proposal, if agreed and voted into place, will also take effect for future elections, not just 2014.

“Just remember, though: It can’t only be one way — you have to compromise,” Lewis said.