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Election Division > Vote Centers Vote Centers

Vote Centers Save Money

Local governments are working harder than ever to control costs, and the Office of the Indiana Secretary of State wants to help. Two recent studies have shown that one of the best ways to control the costs of local government is through Vote Centers. The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute recently released the study “Vote Centers and Election Costs: A Study of the Fiscal Impact of Vote Centers in Indiana.” The key findings of the study include:


  • Vote Centers will produce significant savings for all counties that implemented them. Such savings are particularly noticeable in counties with a low number of registered voters per precinct. Also, counties that already locate more than one precinct in the same location would experience significant cost savings.
  • Vote Centers give local election officials more flexibility. With precincts, the number of locations and the level of staffing are fixed. County officials can do little to reduce cost per vote. With Vote Centers, election administrators can anticipate turnout and modify the number of locations and the level of staffing to suit their needs.
  • Vote Centers produce immediate and long-term savings. This study finds savings would result every election day as well as when time comes to repurchase voting equipment.
  • Vote Centers will significantly reduce the number of voting machines needed to conduct an efficient election.

In addition, Ball State University will soon release a study by the Bowen Center on Vote Centers. Our office will continue to look for tools that can be added to the local government toolbox so that communities can build a fiscally responsible future. Please, contact your representatives in the General Assembly and tell them that one of the best ways to control local government spending is by implementing Vote Centers.

Editorial by Ball State University's Bowen Center: Vote centers offer convenience to public

Executive summary: The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute study "“Vote Centers and Election Costs: A Study of the Fiscal Impact of Vote Centers in Indiana.”

Full report: The Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute study "“Vote Centers and Election Costs: A Study of the Fiscal Impact of Vote Centers in Indiana.”

Executive summary: Bowen Center study on Vote Centers

How do I know the difference between Vote Centers and Satellite Absentee Vote Offices?