RIDGWAY — Registered voters in the far-flung reaches of Highland Township, Elk County, may not have to travel to James City to vote after all, as the Elk County Board of Elections will make a recommendation to the Court of Common Pleas to withdraw the consolidation of their two voting locations.
In December, Kimberly Frey, director of the Elk County Elections Department, sent a letter to registered voters in the township stating the board filed with the Elk County Court of Common Pleas requesting the court consolidate the James City precinct, which is located at the Highland Township firehall in James City, and the Highland precinct, which is located at the mountain clubhouse of Pennsylvania Snowseekers Snowmobile Club Inc. on Route 948.
The proposed new precinct location would be at the Highland Township municipal building in James City.
Precincts in Ridgway Borough and Jay Township are also being considered for consolidation.
On Tuesday, Frey said the recommendation to the court could be amended to remove the consolidation of the two Highland Township polling locations.
Elk County Commissioner Jan Kemmer noted some of the voters in the township come from Owls Nest, and she described the extra six miles those voters would have to drive to James City in order to vote as “excessive.”
Kemmer received several calls from Highland Township residents voicing their opposition to the consolidation. She said with no municipal buildings in Highland Corners, their polling location, is the closest thing they have to a government building.
Kemmer expressed her appreciation for the residents’ interest in their local government — enough for their voices to be heard.
Frey said part of the problem was getting enough poll volunteers at the James City precinct. She also noted the firehall would not be able to hold all four voting machines, and the Highland Township municipal building would be more accommodating.
While Commissioner Dan Freeburg believes Ridgway’s consolidation “makes sense,” he said the board of elections is “not in the business to disenfranchise people” and discourage them from voting. Freeburg motioned to modify the petition to eliminate Highland’s consolidation plan, leaving the two precincts the way they are.
Frey reported speaking to township Supervisor Jim Wolfe, who said he would have no problem either voting in James City or in Highland Corners. However, Wolfe was the only supervisor Frey spoke with, as former supervisor Paul Burton passed away on Thursday (Dec. 31) and current Supervisor chairman Mike Detsch is still being brought up to speed in his new duties.
Commissioner Matt Quesenberry was surprised to hear of Burton’s passing and offered condolences to the family.
Freeburg and Frey concurred that Highland Township voters have made themselves abundantly clear the consolidation of precincts is not desired. Kemmer said she appreciated hearing from them regarding the matter. Quesenberry suggested the township residents “make themselves available as paid volunteers” to perhaps help avoid consideration for consolidation in the future.
Solicitor Tom Wagner will provide the court with an amended order to withdraw Highland from the redistricting order.
At their December meeting, James McClain of Highland Township addressed the commissioners to voice his concerns regarding the consolidation. McClain thought the change would make voting more difficult for those who live in the outer parts of the township.
Owls Nest is located 14 miles from James City. The Highland Corners precinct location is approximately six miles from James City.
McClain noted the township is without public transportation, and hazardous weather could affect voter turnout on election day, especially among the elderly. He pointed out the Highland Corners location is more centrally located for the 125 registered voters who vote at the location than James City would be.
The current James City precinct has 176 registered voters.
The Court of Common Pleas is scheduled to make a ruling at 11 a.m. Jan. 13.
