Community Center, FUMC Jefferson locations eliminated following public hearing
V. Hugh Lewis II
Jefferson Jimplecute
Marion County Commissioners approved closing the Jefferson Community Center and the First United Methodist Church – Jefferson polling locations following a public hearing Wednesday morning.
Less than 70 people voted at the Community Center in both of the last two elections. FUMC had 185 voters in the March 2020 primary, and 105 voters at the November 2020 general election.
“This morning hearing was an example of the trend sweeping the nation; county officials making decisions without the consent or input of the citizens of the county,” said Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Maurice Jones. “What I found appalling is that a polling location in the heart of an African American community would be closed, forcing citizens to go outside the community to cast their votes. If this is not voter suppression, it definitely looks like it and feels like it. The ability to feel safe and secure while exercising your legal right to vote should be the mission and goal of our county officials and not to restrict or limit access to the polls.”
Commissioners also considered closing the Kellyville Community Center location. It had 154 voters in the March 2020 primary and 94 voters in the November 2020 general election.
Former Democratic Party Chair Ricky Harrington opened the public comments.
“What we should be doing is expanding access to the polls, not going down,” Harrington said. “I think people being able to vote anywhere is a great thing. I’m all for it. But eliminating polls is going backwards. We don’t want to go back to certain people not being able to vote. You want to be expanding access. I’m not in favor of disenfranchising people.”
“Speaking on my own behalf, however I have been on committee since started talking about it,” said Jamey Parsons. I think these voting centers are a very good thing. They allow more flexibility for people voting on election day. I am opposed to eliminating the Community Center in Frogtown. I’ve been against it from the very start. At the last committee meeting, I recommended closing Methodist church and Kellyville. The folks that live in and around community center and in Frogtown those people walk or ride bikes. It’s easier for them to go to community center to exercise their right to vote. That being said, if there are some problems with the building or it’s particular location, I’d recommend you try and find an alternative location – like the American legion hall. We’re allowed to go down to 5 voting center but don’t have to go down to 5 voting center.”
“When I was growing up here in Frogtown, I remember my parents going to the community center to vote during election times,” Willie Thomas. When I went to cc to vote, it gave me a big old sense of pride. When I stepped in that booth it made me feel good. It felt like I was home. It’s a sense of community being able to vote there. When a person is comfortable going to a specific center to vote, they’re more likely to go out and vote.”
Hunter Bonner was the only person to speak in favor of closing two locations.
“I’ve served twice as a presiding election judge here in Marion County,” Bonner said. “I’m here to express that I’m in favor of reducing them from 7 to 5. The addition of the voting centers eliminated the need to travel to a specific location to vote. It’s more convenient for the voter and easier for the poll workers. Two of the locations are less than 2 miles apart. Nothing being discussed today affects the way a person in Texas can cast a ballot. On the contrary, it has to do with trimming the costs associated with voting in Marion County. To not the consider operational costs and the foot traffic at those locations is acting as bad steward of the taxpayers money. I believe the Community Center and First United Methodist Church, based on polling data, should be on the list to be removed.”
Lynwood Johnson closed out the public comment portion of the meeting.
“I’d like to express my concerns about cutting down the number of polling places at this time,” said Johnson. “Simply because we have a couple of scenarios going on. The first I’d call ‘Fantasy Island.’ There are things happening that we want to happen: we’re reducing costs, new equipment is being rolled out and it’s believed it’s all going to be OK. What’s happening now is another thing. I have no confidence the Federal Government is going to pass any voting rights things anytime soon. The Texas Legislature will pass some things and create more burdens on the voters and the election workers. We don’t know how these changes are going to impact turnout. “
A Vote Center Committee has been working on polling locations over the last four years. Current committee members are: Vickie Smith, County Clerk, Leward LaFleur, County Judge, Karen Jones, Voter Registrar, Scott Stebbins, Republican Party County Chair, Ricky Harrington/Maurice Williams, Democratic Party County Chair, Pat George, EVBB, Ken Tomlinson, Former Republican chair, Jamey Parsons, Former Republican Party County Chair, Gladys Jenkins, Democratic Election Judge, Pearl Coleman, Democratic Election Judge, Lynwood Johnson II, poll worker, and Gene Williams.
Commissioner Pct. 4 Charlie Treadwell made the motion to close the two voting. Commissioner Pct. 3 Jacob Pattison seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-1 with Commissioner Pct 1 J.R. Ashley opposing.
“When Will said people feel comfortable voting there, that got me understanding why they wanted them to remain open,” Ashley said after the meeting.
The change will take affect starting with the November 2021 Constitution Amendment election.