Reply #13: Pew to fund Vote Center study - be forwarned

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

"Vote Centers ($568,000)
States are increasingly grappling with the problem of overcrowded, inconveniently located
and poorly designed polling places. In response, some states are experimenting with vote centers
that replace neighborhood precincts and allow voters to cast ballots at large, centralized
polling places anywhere in their city or county­near their work, school, shopping center
or other destination. The innovation is in its infancy and important questions have been raised,
including how to determine where vote centers should be located and what their impact is on
voter turnout and the cost of running elections.

Make Voting Work has awarded three contracts for a combined total of $568,000 to
Ball State University, which is working with local election officials in Tippecanoe and Wayne counties in Indiana; Rice University, which is working with local election officials throughout Colorado and two Texas jurisdictions, Fort Bend and Lubbock; and the University of Tennessee, which is working with local election officials in Knox, Anderson and Loudon counties."

http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_ektid33582.aspx>http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_ektid33582.aspx

Some questions:

1. How can Vote Centers be implemented without disenfranchising the poor, disabled and elderly voters?
2. How can Vote Centers be implemented without incentivizing direct record electronic voting machines?
3. Are these Counties mentioned going to be "beta tests" for Vote Centers?
4. Can I get a grant for $568,000 to study the impact of voter verified paper ballots and audits on public confidence in elections? :)