FAST FACTS:
(Germantown, TN 10/08/2009) Early voting is underway at 17 different sites around Shelby County.
News Channel 3 found out even some election officials questioned whether some of those locations are needed.
In at least 2 early voting polling sites, voters who live in those areas are going to the polls but the races that directly affect them are already decided. Yet, they're on the ballot anyway and it's costing you the taxpayer anyway.
New Bethel Baptist Church in Germantown is one of 17 early voting locations in Shelby County but voter turn out is extremely low there. Yesterday, only 22 people voted there all day.
"I just saw all the signs on the street so I came on in," said Callentin Phillips, voter.
Phillips had only heard of the city mayor's race. She lives in the county and had no idea what she would be voting on. She came in and found out, it was the State Senate District 31 primary but both the Democratic candidate and Republican candidate were running unopposed. It's an entire polling site fully staffed for a race that's already decided.
"So, we're wasting somebody's money. Some taxpayers money to keep that open," said Phillips.
"We confirmed that with the state coordinators office and the attorney generals office prior to going forward because we had to the same question you did. Why do you do it?" asked Richard Holden, Shelby County Election Commission.
Holden says state law mandates the election commission hold primaries even if the races are already have clear winners.
"What we're doing in almost every case is simply following the state law and federal laws," said Holden.
How much is this costing you? Rental of the church cost $350 a day. For 15 days of early voting, that adds up to $5,250. Plus, the mandated 8 poll workers must be paid. All of that adds up to $18,000 to keep this polling site open for a primary election that's already decided.
"You've got all these people sitting here. It's time. The place has to be kept open. There's a cost. So, yes there's some waste. I truly think that," said Phillips.
The state pays for the cost of each polling site where the senate primary is located. That saves the city of Memphis money but it still will cost you the taxpayer in the long run.
- State senate primary race decided but costing taxpayers
- Election commission told to hold election anyway
- Early voting location cost taxpayers $18,000 for 15 days
(Germantown, TN 10/08/2009) Early voting is underway at 17 different sites around Shelby County.
News Channel 3 found out even some election officials questioned whether some of those locations are needed.
In at least 2 early voting polling sites, voters who live in those areas are going to the polls but the races that directly affect them are already decided. Yet, they're on the ballot anyway and it's costing you the taxpayer anyway.
New Bethel Baptist Church in Germantown is one of 17 early voting locations in Shelby County but voter turn out is extremely low there. Yesterday, only 22 people voted there all day.
"I just saw all the signs on the street so I came on in," said Callentin Phillips, voter.
Phillips had only heard of the city mayor's race. She lives in the county and had no idea what she would be voting on. She came in and found out, it was the State Senate District 31 primary but both the Democratic candidate and Republican candidate were running unopposed. It's an entire polling site fully staffed for a race that's already decided.
"So, we're wasting somebody's money. Some taxpayers money to keep that open," said Phillips.
"We confirmed that with the state coordinators office and the attorney generals office prior to going forward because we had to the same question you did. Why do you do it?" asked Richard Holden, Shelby County Election Commission.
Holden says state law mandates the election commission hold primaries even if the races are already have clear winners.
"What we're doing in almost every case is simply following the state law and federal laws," said Holden.
How much is this costing you? Rental of the church cost $350 a day. For 15 days of early voting, that adds up to $5,250. Plus, the mandated 8 poll workers must be paid. All of that adds up to $18,000 to keep this polling site open for a primary election that's already decided.
"You've got all these people sitting here. It's time. The place has to be kept open. There's a cost. So, yes there's some waste. I truly think that," said Phillips.
The state pays for the cost of each polling site where the senate primary is located. That saves the city of Memphis money but it still will cost you the taxpayer in the long run.
