(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County has taken a step toward having vote centers thanks to a unanimous decision by the La Porte County Election Board last Friday.

However, La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens said approval is still required from the La Porte County Commissioners and La Porte County Council.

Vote centers would mean people being able to vote anywhere in the county not just the precincts where they reside.  Supporters say vote centers would also bring a cost-saving factor, from possibly needing fewer locations and fewer workers to run an election.

Vote centers are supported by the leaders of both major political parties locally.

“It’s going to increase the accessibility and the convenience for the voters in this county. I believe with the technology we have it’s just the logical step forward,” said La Porte County Democrat Party Chairperson Angle Hensman of Michigan City.

“Moving to vote centers will result in substantial cost savings to taxpayers and make voting easier and more accessible to the voters of La Porte County,” said La Porte County Republican Party chairman Allen Stevens of Hanna.

Clerk Heather Stevens said she also plans to have a series of public meetings about the plan to switch to vote centers in the coming weeks.