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Elections official urges parking and access fixes at annex after heavy early‑voting turnout
Summary
Cricket Miller told the court the annex parking layout and lighting hamper efficient voting during heavy turnout. She presented counts (13 regular + 3 handicap south; 45 regular north), reported early‑voting peaks and recommended signage, striping and a possible expansion that may cost substantially more than earlier estimates.
Cricket Miller described access and safety problems at the elections annex and asked the court to consider short‑term fixes and a longer-term parking expansion. She said visibility is poor, handicap spaces are not clearly signed, and traffic frequently backs up onto Santa Fe during peak early voting.
"We have 13 regular spots and 3 handicap on the south side of the building, and then there are 45 regular spots on the north side of the building," Miller said while outlining usage statistics and the strain those patterns place on staff and voters during major elections. She noted early‑voting totals in a past November of nearly 12,000 voters at the annex and said that peak days and peak hours produce long queues that compound parking congestion.
Miller presented a prior design from Jacob Martin that would add roughly a dozen to 15 regular spots and four handicap spots; she said a 2025 estimate for that work was $179,500 but that current contractors estimate nearer $300,000. For near-term remediation she noted a vendor quote of about $1,064 to stripe and mark existing spaces and emphasized adding signage and improved lighting to help direct voters.
Commissioners asked about alternative worker parking (park area), potential traffic arrows, and whether building a new lot or re‑striping would be bundled with a larger remodel. The court directed staff to track firm cost estimates and return with options during the budget process.
