Legislation would allow vote centers in all counties

A bill that would allow all 92 Indiana counties to set up centralized voting centers instead of traditional precinct polling places has unanimously cleared a state Senate committee.

Vote centers allow people to cast ballots at any county voting location instead of just their neighborhood precincts. Supporters say the centers are more convenient and can save counties money because they have to staff fewer polling sites. But some caution that with fewer polling places, those without transportation might have problems reaching a voting site.

Monday's vote advances the bill to the full Republican-led Senate for consideration.

Tippecanoe, Cass and Wayne counties have been using vote centers. Allowing any county to switch to vote centers is a concept that has been considered before, but has been tangled in other election issues.