Union County Supervisor of Elections Barbara "Babs" Montpetit is not sure the county would benefit from such changes. "We're already paying four times what we used to for elections," said Montpetit. 

Montpetit said the county saved money using papers ballots. "It's more cost effective for this county to hand count ballots than to count them by machine," said Montpetit.

The rise in cost in the election process can be attributed to several factors. Hand counted ballots cost the county approximately $500. The ballots used to count votes by machine cost the county more than $2,500. The county is also required to have personnel from the manufacturer of the voting machines in place during an election. For three days, it amounts to more than $10,000 for that service.

Montpetit said she fears the state will hand down these changes without the money to fund them. "While the state did pay for the voting machines, they are not paying for the other requirements that went along with them," said Montpetit. Montpetit said she would be in favor of such changes if the state would mandate funding for them.

Montpetit is in favor of early voting. During the 2004 election 384 Union County residents took advantage of the opportunity. "It's basically voting the same as if you were voting absentee,"said Montpetit.

Montpetit is not in favor of voting centers. Montpetit said she feels the 11 voting precincts the county currently has is adequate to the county's needs. "All our polling places are up-to-date with ADA regulations. Many of the county's polling places serve a dual purpose. Several serve as community centers such as those in Raiford, Lake Butler and Worthington Springs. The county has little to no cost in the maintenance of these facilities.

James Redmond can be reached at (386) 496-2261 or jamesredmond1@yahoo.com