City leaders debate the merits of satellite voting - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Members of Sioux City's city council requested the county auditor reduce the number of polling places in the next election, to save money.

Leaders estimated they could cut the cost by half if they created a handful of satellite stations to replace the 30 polling places in a typical election.                    

 While Mayor Bob Scott and Councilman Keith Radig requested the change, we got an idea Monday night, of which way other leaders are leaning.

"We're not discussing four or five, that was just a number that was thrown out there.  It's not going to be that few," said Rhonda Capron. 

"I am not in favor of four locations.  I might be in favor of 16, or 18, or 20," added John Fitch, who pointed out his polling place is just blocks away from another.  Radig says some polling places are across the street from each other.

The county auditor says the move would not keep people from casting their ballot, and that many choose vote absentee.

Some in Sioux City aren't so sure.

"There's many folks that cannot get to those locations, not only that but saving $5,000 for the primary and then the general is not an attractive figure for many people when they can consider that their voting rights may be getting taken away," said Sioux City resident Stephen Babe.

The council has not set a date to vote on matter.