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County election office seeks one‑time equipment funds to launch 19 convenience voting centers
Summary
Interim elections director Sheila Hayes told commissioners the office plans to implement convenience voting centers (like early voting sites) in place of precinct‑only voting, requesting one‑time laptops and printers for 19 sites and saying the change could reduce staffing needs over time.
Interim Elections Director Sheila Hayes told the Washington County Board of Commissioners the election office intends to implement convenience voting centers for the coming election cycle and requested one‑time funding for equipment for 19 sites.
Hayes described convenience voting centers as sites where any registered voter may cast a ballot before or on Election Day, similar to early‑voting locations, and said the budget request covers laptops, printers and thermal printers needed to make the sites function and to ensure the office immediately knows who has voted. She said the request is for 19 convenience centers rather than the current 23 precincts.
Hayes said, “Convenience voting centers will be just like early voting,” and explained the equipment is needed so the office can “know that you voted in Lamar, and we can't go to Woodland to vote,” emphasizing real‑time voter record updates to prevent double‑voting.
Why it matters: Commissioners were presented with costed equipment as a one‑time outlay the office expects will reduce staffing and supply costs over time and could improve voter access. Hayes said the change requires state approval and that the county previously delayed implementation during the 2024 presidential cycle at the state's recommendation.
Budget and operational details included: the office budget was presented on a 19‑center model; the FY‑26 request factors a 3% pay increase for staff; in single election years the office’s expenses vary and the convenience‑center equipment request would be pulled out separately from recurring operations for future comparisons. Hayes said some counties in Tennessee (for example Rutherford County) already use convenience centers, and that a grant inquiry for laptop funding had been made but a state funding match had not been confirmed.
Discussion vs. decision: commissioners asked about long‑term staffing savings, precinct consolidation (Asbury into Woodland, other low‑use sites combined) and the number of counties in Tennessee using the model. No formal vote was taken on the equipment request at the workshop.
Ending: The commission will consider the election office's request during further budget deliberations and the election staff will continue to refine cost breakdowns and potential grant support.
