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The Electoral Board had
recommended a number of changes in voting locations as a
part of the process of redistricting that occurred in 2001.
Now that the Board has experienced elections utilizing a
number of new polling places, the Electoral Board is seeking
to change polling place locations for the Courthouse, Lois
and Marshall precincts.
The Courthouse precinct has
been a difficult location for voters predating the ongoing
construction at the Warren Green Building. Parking is a
problem at this location with its close proximity to several
governmental buildings with high citizen traffic. The
Warren Green Building has a maximum occupancy of thirty (30)
persons, forcing voters to wait outside of the building.
Moving the Courthouse precinct to the Warren Presbyterian
Church would provide ample space to accommodate large
numbers of voters during the rush periods. This change
would also move the voting location away from the nucleus of
government buildings in Warrenton that produce high traffic
and competition for parking.
The Lois precinct is an
extremely difficult situation being located at Mary Walter
Elementary School, which is also used as the polling
location for the Morrisville precinct. Having two precincts
at one location causes great confusion for voters of both
precincts, not knowing which is the correct location.
Parking has been very difficult at this location, as voters
from two precincts are in competition with each other and
those visiting and working at the school. Though allowed by
State statute in certain instances, the actual location for
Lois precinct is located outside the precinct boundary.
Moving the Lois precinct to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church would
place the precinct back inside the precinct boundaries. In
addition, this location offers ample parking for voters, as
well as a much larger space to conduct voting.
The Marshall precinct is a
unanimously unpopular location for voters, officers of
election and the facility staff. The only space available
for use is a small meeting room in the rear of the
building. It requires voters to traverse down two lengthy
corridors to the voting location. This location has several
different activities scheduled throughout the day in this
same building. These activities interfere with voters
trying to locate the voting location and causes competitive
parking. Moving the Marshall precinct to the Ruritan
Building would provide a far more convenient voting location
with massive amounts of parking, ease of access, a larger
space for voting, and no competition with other public
activities.
Staff is in the process of
determining what improvements will be required at these
three locations in order to make sure that the polling
places are accessible to the handicapped.
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