Peoria County will have ten fewer polling locations, beginning with the March primary elections.
The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners approved the updated list of polling locations during its last meeting on Nov. 17. But Executive Director Thomas Bride says even with fewer polling places, he doesn’t anticipate longer wait times.
“We’re always looking at the number of voters that would be using a polling place and make sure we have enough room for the equipment, for the voters,” Bride said.
Bride says other factors that played into the decision were accessibility, parking and cell service. The Election Commission relies on a voting software that requires cell connection.
The board approved several updates last week, but adding Spanish-language ballots wasn’t one of them.
Bride says after a bill requiring Spanish-language ballots failed last year, the effort lost traction:
“I don’t think we’ll do it until we’re required to," Bride said. "There’s a cost related to it.”
The Election Commission does provide an online voter registration in Spanish through the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The $128,000 software purchase is a new license for the Hart election management system that compiles and counts votes for local, state and federal elections. Bride says the upgrade allows for same-day registration to better ensure voters get the appropriate ballot for their corresponding precincts.
Bride says paper voter registration cards are due to mailed out in batches, starting this week.
Upgraded list of Peoria County polling locations:
1. Move Precinct ME02 from Dunlap Fire Station #2 to Cedar Hill Baptist Church 12716 N Allen Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525
2. Move Precinct ME04 from Prayerview Community Church to Cedar Hill Baptist Church 12716 N Allen Rd, Dunlap, IL 61525
3. Move Precinct ME01 from Prayerview Community Church to Northminister Presbyterian Church 10720 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL 61615
4. Move Precinct PE49 from Lakeview Library to St Paul Lutheran Church 1427 W Lake Ave Peoria, IL 61614
5. Move Precinct PE07 from Madison Golf Course to City on A Hill Church 3624 W Malone St Peoria, IL 61605
6. Move Precinct PE25 from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church to University United Methodist Church 2818 N University St Peoria, IL 61604
7. Move Precincts PR01 & PR02 from Princeville Village Hall to Princeville United Methodist Church 420 E Woertz Rd Princeville, IL 61559
8. Move Precinct MI01 from Millbrook Township Center to Brimfield Public Library 111 S Galena Ave Brimfield, IL 61617
9. Move Precinct BR01 from WF Harding Memorial Building to Brimfield Public Library 111 S Galena Ave Brimfield, IL 61617
10. Move Precinct 45 from First Baptist Church to Peoria Heights Public Library 816 E Glen Ave Peoria Heights, IL 61616
11. Move Precincts CH03 & CH04 from St Edwards School to Chillicothe Bible Church, 434 W Moffitt St, Chillicothe, IL 61523
12. Move Precincts CH01 & CH02 from VFW 4999 to Chillicothe Bible Church, 434 W Moffitt St, Chillicothe, IL 61523
13. Move Precincts CH05 & CH08 from Shore Acres Clubhouse to Chillicothe Public Library 430 N Bradley Ave Chillicothe, IL 61523
14. Move Precincts ME05 & ME06 from Medina Township to Mossville Methodist Church 1015 E Mossville Rd Peoria, IL 61615
15. Move Precincts PE84 & PE85 from 2nd Church Christ Scientists to Bicycle Safety Town 6518 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL 61614
16. Move Precincts PE09 from Roosevelt Magnet School to Proctor Center, 309 S DuSable St, Peoria, IL 61605
17. Move Precincts PE10 from Tri-County Urban League to Proctor Center, 309 S DuSable St, Peoria, IL 61605