Board designates St. Luke Baptist Church as Eltham Precinct polling place for primary; electoral board flags parking limits

The Board of Supervisors on May 6 adopted Ordinance O-4-25 to designate St. Luke Baptist Church at 7901 Plum Point Road as the polling place for the Eltham Precinct after the county's prior designated locations became unavailable.

County elections staff informed the board that Whitmore Chevrolet — previously designated during the redistricting process — and a subsequent rental space at Ware Creek Commerce Park are no longer available. County staff said the electoral board visited St. Luke Baptist Church and found it meets the legal requirements for a polling place; the electoral board voted to use the church for the June primary.

Larry Reynolds, who said he is the secretary of the New Kent County electoral board (but spoke for himself), told the board the electoral board voted unanimously to use St. Luke's for the June primary but raised concerns about limited parking ("only 7 paved parking spaces") and traffic flow on the two narrow roads that intersect at the church. Reynolds said the electoral board will closely monitor parking and traffic during the June primary and then decide whether the site is feasible for the November general election, which typically has higher turnout.

The county said the registrar has begun an "emergency process" to secure the location for the primary because of timing; staff also said notices to voters in the precinct were sent this week. Supervisor Stewart moved to adopt the ordinance; the board voted unanimously to approve the designation.

Ending: The electoral board will monitor use of St. Luke Baptist Church during the June primary and report back before the November election; if the site proves unsuitable for general-election turnout, staff and the board will need to identify alternate locations.