Laramie County will be utilizing vote centers for this year's primary and general elections, but not everyone is in favor of the new voting method.

County Clerk Debbye Lathrop, who spearheaded the change, says voters will be able to cast their ballots at any one of thirteen vote centers throughout the county, rather than having to vote in their own precinct.

"People can vote anywhere at any of those locations that are open," said Lathrop. "So if it's handy to for them to vote close to work, great. If there’s someplace that’s on their way to lunch, they can pop in and vote."

The concern, however, is that polling places that used to exist in rural towns such as Albin and Carpenter aren't on the list, making it harder for those residents to vote.

"You're not taking them into consideration," said Burns resident Betty Nussbaum, during a public hearing at Tuesday's Laramie County Commissioners meeting.

"I worry reducing the number of vote centers will impact voters out in the county," said Carpenter resident Cecelia Smock.

"We're not discouraging anybody from voting," said Elections Manager Debbie Valdez-Ortiz. "Money is tight and so we have to look out for the best interest of the taxpayer's dollars."

"We did take into consideration all the comments in regards to those areas that are affected," added Valdez-Ortiz. "That's why we're trying to do an outreach program."

Valdez-Ortiz says voters can still vote absentee forty days prior to the election.

"We try to make it as easy as we possibly can for them to be able to vote," said Valdez-Ortiz.

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