St. Francois County Reports Significant Savings After Switching to Countywide Vote Centers

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - St. Francois County officials say the county's transition to a countywide vote center system is already producing significant savings while making voting more convenient for residents.

Earlier this year, the county reduced its number of polling places from nearly two dozen precinct locations to four countywide vote centers, along with dedicated polling locations for voters in Bismarck and Leadwood.

County Clerk Kevin Engler says consolidating polling places has saved the county a substantial amount of money by reducing the number of locations that must be staffed and equipped on Election Day.

The vote center model also modernizes the voting process. Rather than assigning voters to a specific precinct, election workers can now print each voter's correct ballot on demand when they check in. That allows registered voters to cast their ballot at any of the county's four vote centers, regardless of where they live within the county.

The countywide vote centers are located at:

• North County High School
• Mineral Area College Tech Building
• First State Community Center in Farmington
• Election Central on Weber Road

Officials say the new system provides voters with greater flexibility while helping reduce election costs for St. Francois County.