Council adopts new polling places, removes split precincts ahead of February absentee voting

The Jackson City Council on Jan. 28 adopted ordinances to change several polling places and to remove split precincts so precinct boundaries align with the ward lines approved in the city's recent redistricting.

Council members said the changes are time-sensitive because absentee voting begins Feb. 18 and voters must be notified of new polling locations. Councilman Stokes said some prospective candidates and voters still do not know which precincts and wards apply to them, and urged rapid implementation so people can “prepare.”

The council voted to move voters from a low‑turnout precinct at Tougaloo College (precinct 98) into precinct 80 at the Tougaloo Community Center; to consolidate split precincts (for example, renaming 94a/94b as 94 and moving 94b voters into precinct 100 where appropriate); and to eliminate some small split precincts so voters now vote at single locations, such as merging voters who used to vote at a TruVine Church location into Galloway School. City staff said the changes remove split voting locations that resulted from the ward-line changes council adopted last year.

Council members and staff said the municipal clerk and election commissioners will work with the county circuit clerk to update the voter registration system (Sims), generate labels, and mail notices to affected voters. Council members asked that GIS maps and precinct lists be distributed to council offices and made available to the public; planning and GIS staff said they will provide updated maps and that some materials will be available through the clerk and GIS office.

City attorney Drew Martin and municipal clerk Shaniquia Jordan provided procedural advice during the expedited consideration; council used an accelerated process the meeting to ensure mailings and system updates could occur before absentee balloting begins.

The council approved amendments to the ordinances on the floor to correct language and to merge or rename specific split precincts before taking final votes.

Council members stressed outreach: council members asked the clerk’s office to supply printed maps and for staff to provide precinct‑by‑precinct population information so council members can answer constituent questions.

The council recorded votes on the ordinances on the floor; the clerk and city attorney confirmed required notifications to the election offices would be completed immediately.

The council set a special meeting for Feb. 5 to consider additional election‑related items but proceeded to adopt the ward-alignment polling-place ordinance at the Jan. 28 session to meet statutory timelines.

The changes are administrative (location and precinct consolidation) and do not change the ward boundaries the council adopted previously.

Ending: City staff said letters notifying affected voters and precinct maps will be produced as soon as the clerk completes the Sims updates; absentee voting remains scheduled to begin Feb. 18.