LAYTON -- Layton city officials want to make voting easier for the upcoming municipal elections, so they are making some changes.
Layton is one of 13 Davis County cities that will not only use county electronic equipment for the election, but will also contract with the county for Election Day services.
However, that won't be the most noticeable change for residents as they head to the polls this fall.
"The state legislators passed a provision to use vote centers," said Thieda Wellman, Layton's city recorder. "That means that voters, even though they are assigned to a specific location, can vote at any of the vote centers."
Layton's City Council recently voted to adopt a resolution approving the agreement with Davis County to conduct the 2011 municipal election and approve the polling locations.
Layton will have six vote centers throughout the city: Layton Christian Academy, Northridge and Layton high schools, Valley View Golf Course, Ellison Park Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School.
In past years, voters were assigned a specific voting location, and that often led to confusion as to where they were supposed to vote.
"One of the biggest complaints in the past with voters was they went to the location where they voted in the prior year for the state and federal elections, and they were told that they don't vote there for the municipal elections," Wellman said.
As there is typically a lower voter turnout for municipal elections, Wellman said, they can combine more precincts and that will save money.
"It will cut costs by at least a third," Wellman said, "probably close to $20,000."
Layton has used Davis County's equipment in the past, but this fall will be the first time the city will use county judges and officials. Layton city staff will work with the county judges, and Wellman will still have the final say in any decision.
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