Jefferson County Commission Considers Higher Rent For Polling Places
By Solomon Crenshaw Jr., BirminghamWatch
Polling places in Jefferson County could be in line to receive more money to host elections, according to a report from Barry Stephenson, chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Registrars.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the Jefferson County Commission, Stephenson said that the county last increased the rent offered to sites that host polling places in October 2018. That took the rent from $25 to $100.
The registrar said an increase in rent this year would be a sign of goodwill. When asked, Stephenson said the rent could be raised to $250 for each of the county’s 175 polling places; he said only 60 polling places actually accept rent.
“It would probably be beneficial during this time of the COVID crisis,” Commission President Jimmie Stephens said. “I think it would be at least temporary while we’re facing this for at least the July election and the November election.”
Commissioner Lashunda Scales urged the county to take a “holistic approach” to elections this year. She said more money may be needed to compensate poll workers during the pandemic.
“We would not want to suppress the vote,” she said.
Stephenson said he will draft a resolution for consideration at an upcoming commission committee meeting. He provided an update Thursday from a recent meeting of the Election Commission.
The registrar talked about the possibility of expanded absentee voting, which would take the pressure off polling places. The expansion of absentee voting is a matter that’s being addressed in court, he said, adding that County Attorney Theo Lawson will provide input.
Stephenson also talked about training poll workers, who tend to be senior citizens. That training will likely be done in small groups, he said, to maintain social distancing. The classes will also be available via video.
In commission business, commissioners passed a resolution for up to $1.15 million in supplemental funds for the county’s revolving loan fund grant from the state’s Economic Development Administration. As a result, businesses in Jefferson County will be able to apply for more money to help them combat the effects of COVID-19.
Greetings from Guhagar, India, where newly hatched turtles get some help into the sea
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
Israel is blasting through Gaza City neighborhoods, but people have nowhere to go
Israel's military says it has gained "operational control" of 40% of Gaza City and plans to intensify its attacks in a large-scale ground offensive to fully occupy the city.
Horror, rom-coms and ‘Hamilton’ are all in theaters this weekend
This weekend, Hamilton is in theaters in honor of its anniversary, a new Conjuring horror film opens, and Dylan O'Brien stars in a twisty story about grief.
The U.S. added only 22,000 jobs last month, showing cracks in the labor market
The U.S. job market showed more signs of weakness Friday, as the Labor Department reported just 22,000 jobs added last month. Revised figures show the economy lost jobs in June, and the unemployment rate inched up to 4.3%.
Why solar flares are way hotter than researchers thought
The hottest parts of the sun are its solar flares, and a new study suggests these flares could be more than six times hotter than scientists used to believe.
Ivey, Ledbetter go to court to try and allow voucher students to participate in athletics
Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed the complaint in Montgomery Circuit Court against the Alabama High School Athletic Association. They are asking a judge to block the association's ruling on eligibility and pave the way for the students to participate in athletics this year.
