Plymouth Precinct Chairs Push Back on Plan to Slash Polling Locations
Select Board's proposal to reduce voting sites from 14 to 4 sparks concerns over accessibility and turnout
PLYMOUTH - February 10 - The Plymouth Select Board has voted to consolidate polling locations from 14 to 4, citing cost savings and staffing efficiencies. The decision, made at a recent meeting, sparked debate among residents and officials about potential impacts on voter turnout and accessibility.
The Select Board’s proposal was added to an agenda for the Committee of Precinct Chairs (COPC) on Monday, Feb. 10. The proposal, known as "Option A," would reduce the number of polling places to four: Plymouth Community Intermediate School (PCIS), West Elementary School, Indian Brook School, and Plymouth South Middle School.
Select Board member David Golden explained that the consolidation could save the town approximately $9,000 per election. "In a year like this year where we had a presidential primary, a local election, a state primary, and a national election, that would have been a roughly $36,000 savings to the town over the course of four elections," he said.
However, many COPC members expressed concerns about the potential impact on voter turnout and accessibility, particularly for residents in the southern part of town.
Kathryn Holmes, chair for Precinct 9, highlighted the unique challenges faced by voters in south Plymouth. "We have an older community, and older community people, a lot of people, they literally, they're in their routine," she said. "We literally have people that drive on our roads in south Plymouth where they actually blow out the bottom of their car in potholes."
Joe Hutchinson, representing Precinct 17, echoed these concerns. "Public transportation in South Plymouth is virtually non-existent," he said. "Where you can walk to polls in North Plymouth, we are car driven down there."
The proposal would consolidate six precincts at PCIS, raising concerns about parking and traffic. "PCIS, to put six precincts into PCIS, if you have a child that is going to that school, you know that parking lot is a disaster," Holmes said.
Wrestling Brewster, representing Precinct 15, questioned the timing and motivation behind the change. "If you're going to take 14 voting locations down to four, there's going to be lines, it's going to be difficult, you're going to get less," he said. "My whole concern on this is that we're making it too easy not to vote on voting day."
Golden noted that the Town Clerk's office had studied other communities that have consolidated polling places, including Marshfield and Braintree. However, several COPC members pointed out that Plymouth's large geographic area makes comparisons difficult.
The consolidation plan is set to take effect for the local election in May, barring any reconsideration by the Select Board. Golden explained that starting with the local election would give officials time to address any issues before larger state and national elections.
Despite the potential cost savings, many COPC members urged the Select Board to reconsider the decision. Pat Adelmann, representing Precinct 12, said, "I do hope the Selectmen will go back to the table and listen to the voters and come up with a better plan, if you're going to change it at all."
Golden committed to bringing the COPC's concerns back to the Select Board. He also noted that if the plan moves forward, the town would use various communication methods to inform voters about the changes, including postcards, social media, and digital signs.