OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale has approved a proposal to open more than two dozen polling places in the Omaha area ahead of the November general election.

The proposal to open another 27 polling places and 30 more precincts was submitted to Gale last month by Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps. Phipps created a firestorm of controversy by closing dozens of polling places and nearly half the county’s precincts earlier this year before the May primary in an effort to save money.

Critics charged that the changes would make it difficult for the poorest residents to vote.

On Tuesday, Gale called the new proposal opening more polling places and precincts “a commendable and thoughtful proposal.”