JMU construction will shift Godwin Hall Election Day parking; elections office says ADA access may improve
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
James Madison University will convert part of the Godwin Hall bus depot into temporary parking on Election Day, moving most Election Day parking to an overflow lot; elections staff said the change should shorten routes for ADA voters to the elevator entrance.
Harrisonburg City Electoral Board meeting — Director of Elections Mark Vink told the board Oct. 6 that construction in the Godwin Hall parking lot at James Madison University will shift Election Day parking into a nearby bus-depot area and create a one-lane through and return route near the bookstore.
Vink said he had spoken with "mister Lundy, who's the field operations manager for JMU Parking," and that Lundy "assured me that they will make sure to have adequate signage to direct people over there." The plan moves the majority of Election Day parking into the overflow/temporary lot at the bus depot; the front lot will lose spaces for construction and may not be available for most officers or voters.
Elections staff said the change could benefit voters with mobility needs. Vink explained the office had earlier placed ADA parking on the opposite side of Godwin because the bus-depot access would have required going through a locked gate; the overflow lot puts ADA voters closer to the building elevator. "Having our ADA voters on the other side of the building is better, because that's the side that the elevator's on," he said.
Vink estimated the neighborhood immediately in front of Godwin includes about 100 registered voters who might have previously driven to that front lot. He told the board some of those voters "might just walk over to Godwin" using nearby trails, and noted many precinct voters also vote early or by mail.
The board discussed signage and chief/officer parking logistics; Vink said he expects some front-lot spaces to remain for quick checks but that most officers will use overflow parking and that Jamie (staff) would have signage in place. He said Mr. Lundy was still finalizing exact front-lot availability.
Elections staff said they would notify voters and precinct officers of the temporary parking plan and recommended early voting as an alternative for those who prefer not to use the overflow lot.