Neighborhood Walk to the Polls is an Endangered Species in California

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Limits needed on precinct consolidations

By Assemblymember Alberto Torrico

Should voters have to complete the equivalent of a 10k race just to cast their ballots?

That was the predicament some voters faced in the February primary election. What should have been a casual stroll to the polls turned into a seven-mile round trip trek for some of the thousands of voters squeezed into one polling location.

Voting shouldn’t be a test of physical endurance. That’s why I have introduced AB 2633, which would place limits on precinct consolidations in statewide elections. It requires consolidated precincts to be contiguous and all polling places to be located within the boundaries of one of the consolidated precincts.

Consolidating too many precincts places an unnecessary burden on voters by increasing the distance from their home to their polling place and increasing the possibility of a long waiting period once they arrive. Studies indicate a drop off in voter turnout at the polls when precincts are consolidated, even despite an increase in absentee voting.

Currently, statutes limit election officials, who admittedly have a difficult task in finding suitable locations, from locating more than six precincts at any polling place in special and local elections. Counties are also required to have polling places within the boundaries of one of the consolidated precincts. However, for statewide elections there are no such limitations.

In the February 2008 primary election, more than 10,000 voters were assigned to one polling place in Kern County. Another polling location in Placer County combined 12 precincts.

The Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, with bipartisan support, passed the bill this week – moving us one step closer to a return of the short neighborhood walk to the polls.

Alberto Torrico represents the 20th Assembly District.