JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
David Riley, Administrator of Elections for Marion County, recently clarified several public concerns and errors regarding voting through the county.
Riley began the discussion by stating how the Marion County Election Commission (MCEC) periodically conducts intensive maintenance over a given list of registered voters in order to comply with state statue. Afterwards, he stated how a rumor surrounding the removal or “purging” of local voters from the list has been an ongoing discussion. He clarified in detail the reasons a registered voter may be missing from the list . One reason why someone is removed is due to a voter’s registration card not being submitted to MCEC. He explained if someone registers prior to an upcoming presidential election, the voter will not receive a confirmation card until the year of the election. Once received by mail, the voter can fill out the card and send it back to the MCEC office, where the voter will then remain listed. However, if not received, the MCEC will mark the voter as inactive during an election, but will still remain within the list.
“That individual is marked as inactive. Not purged,” said Riley.
David discussed additional reports regarding the MCEC’s role within the county’s five main districts. He clarified how it or other county and state election boards have no authority over the redrawing of district lines, or to relocate a given official from one district to another. All drawings are conducted under state legislation.
David also pointed out a misallocation case regarding registered voters within the Jasper Highlands community. He explained how those residing in “The Farms” section of the development were allocated in the voting database to District Three, with the voters actually being located in District Four in the county. The misallocation was caused by general mapping of The Farms section of Jasper Highlands, which was mapped out upon redistricting maps being printed back in 2022. Because of the remapping and the placement of mailboxes within the section of Jasper Highlands, the MCEC mistakenly utilized the template of the mailbox and district layout, labeling those residing there as part of District Three.
“Our office took the template in stride without scrutinizing the physical placement of the actual domiciles,” explained David.
The discussion ultimately concluded with David stating that while errors were made, he and other staff members of the MCEC will continue to operate with integrity and accuracy for all registered voters in Marion County.