PHOENIX (KSAZ) - The election debacle is still fresh on the minds of many, especially at the Church of the Beatitudes in Central Phoenix. The church was overwhelmed by the number of voters in more ways than one.
"We had too many people using the system in a compressed amount of time," said Pat Ezerski.
The voting system and the sewer system couldn't handle the crush of people.
"They threw things down our toilet system that don't belong there, like paper towels, diapers, so consequently the whole system backed up which I must say the county called me the next day, and they are covering the plumbing for that particular piece," said Ezerski.
The sewage backed up from the toilets and overflow pipes in the yard areas of the church. Ezerski figures repairs will run about $1,500.
Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell says more than one polling place suffered from the crush of voters.
"We've had some plumbing issues, carpets were torn up, lawns destroyed, so we have to fix that, and some of these places don't want that back again, I don't know if I blame them," said Purcell.
The pastor at the Beatitudes says despite the problems the church will gladly host the next election on May 17 as it has done for decades.
"They are going to pay for a goodly share of the damages which is appropriate, and we appreciate that, and we will continue to be a polling place. We just would prefer not be one of the few polling places," said Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom.