The Corporatization of Election Polling Places?

Poll work gets corporate twist

Sponsorship of precincts to help charities

By Buddy Nevins
Political Writer
Posted December 21 2005

Next year, Broward County voters may be casting ballots at the AutoNation precinct or the Publix polling place.

Corporate sponsorships, so far largely confined to sports stadiums and arenas, became part of the election process on Tuesday.

Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes and Doug Weber, president of United Way of Broward County, announced the unique sponsorship program as part of a dual strategy to raise money for charity and recruit poll workers. Part of the effort will be encouraging corporations and 68 agencies funded by United Way to adopt their own polling place or group of polling places.

Companies wouldn't get formal naming rights, Snipes said. The precinct location on a voter's registration card won't be changed from a number and letter designation like 29N to a corporate name.

But employees sent to work at a polling place can all wear corporate T-shirts, according to Snipes. The company can place a sign showing corporate sponsorship outside the precinct.