Members of the Bartholomew County Election Board have concluded that NexusPark, which has been the location for early voting since the last presidential election, likely will not be available for May’s primary.
The Bartholomew County Commissioners this week had agreed to ask Columbus city officials to reconsider their decision not to allow early voting inside the former mall that is now undergoing extensive renovations.
There was some hope expressed early this week that construction might be far enough ahead of schedule for the city to reconsider their position. But after touring NexusPark, election board member Mark Kevitt said the available space was inadequate for 28 days of early voting.
The city has not responded to the county’s reconsideration request. At this time, NexusPark remains the election boards’ first choice and the matter is still under review.
But Kevitt said he assumes it will not be available, and Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz says other sites need to be immediately considered. The deadline on making a decision on choosing an early voting site is March 7.
The next best choice, according to board members, is Donner Center, 739 22nd St. Kevitt said he’s been informed by city council member Grace Kestler that park administrative staff plans to move out of Donner and into NexusPark either next month or in April.
As a polling place and vote center, Donner has traditionally attracted some of the largest election crowds in the county.
Board president James Holland asked Lentz to get in contact with city officials and parks director Mark Jones about the possibility of using Donner Center.
Another option is the North Christian Church building that closed in 2022. The structure and property are currently owned by the Columbus Capital Foundation, which was established in 1994 primarily to preserve and maintain land and buildings of historical or architectural significance.
While the building is being considered for an expansion of the Bartholomew County Library, a decision isn’t expected until early this spring.
But Lentz urged the election board to first look over the former church at 850 Tipton Lane to see if it would be conducive for early voting. Board members agreed, and will seek permission to tour the building and grounds next week.
Lentz was also asked to talk with foundation leaders to see if they would be receptive to hosting early voting.
