To the Editor: 

Having read the article about the potential decrease in voting locations in the town of Rensselaerville, I felt compelled to comment [“Rensselaerville to hold hearing on consolidating voting districts,” The Altamont Enterprise, Jan. 5, 2026].

I have several years of experience running polling centers in St. Joseph County, Indiana. The job of anyone working in a polling location is to enable voters to vote as quickly and efficiently as possible. Any decrease in the number of voting locations must be balanced by the need to make voting as accessible as possible.

Having fewer locations to cast a ballot can result in longer lines to vote, and these longer lines often discourage people from voting. Add in any possibility of bad weather, and the likelihood of people not voting increases, especially if there is any appreciable wait time.

I was struck that Rensselaerville wants to go from three to one voting location, a change that seems designed to increase wait time. Also, longer drive times to get to a voting location will discourage some voters.

While I understand the financial constraints, I urge the town to drop to two locations and evaluate the results before decreasing to just one. 

I know that I have no personal stake in the decision, but do have an allegiance to democracy and the need to engage more people in the voting process, not do anything to discourage their involvement. 

Aileen Wehren 

North Liberty, Indiana