MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Ball State University leaders were hoping to bring an early voting site to campus, but a Republican member of the Delaware County Election Board said he's leaning against the idea.

Voters can cast absentee ballots in person before the election at county election offices, but satellite early voting locations require approval from all members of the election board.

Republican Bill Bruns said he was unlikely to vote for an early voting center at Ball State, citing concerns about security and staffing, The Star Press of Muncie reported.

"My own opinion is our current system provides adequate access to our polling places for everyone in Delaware County," he said.

But Democratic Election Board President Phil Nichols said a campus site would help relieve lines at polling places on Election Day.

In the past year, Monroe, Tippecanoe and Vigo counties have allowed early voting at Indiana University, Purdue University and Indiana State University, respectively.

Ball State President JoAnn Gora wrote a letter to the Delaware County Election Board offering to provide free space on campus and some financial support. Student Government Association President Frank Hood said both College Republicans and University Democrats support the proposal.

"Students who support both parties are here supporting this issue," he said at an election board meeting Tuesday to discuss the idea.

Delaware County Republican Party Chair Kaye Whitehead has told The Star Press in the past that a campus site could encourage voting by uninformed students. She said she was worried that the proposal was a political ploy.

Ball State University political science professor Joe Losco said its unclear how a campus site might affect voting.

"Generally, nationwide, the younger vote and the college vote is going Democrat," he said. "There's no guarantee it's going that way in Indiana."

Both Bruns and Nichols said politics did not factor into their positions on the proposal.

The Delaware County Election Board is expected to vote on the proposal next week. Absentee-in-person voting at county election offices begins Oct. 6, and Election Day is Nov. 4.