DeKalb commissioners approve precinct boundary changes that move about 3,000 voters

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on April 1 approved a package of precinct boundary changes intended to align precinct lines with recent municipal annexations and to address accessibility issues at polling sites.

Elections staff recommended the changes, saying three of the six proposed boundary adjustments are driven by annexations and three address accessibility problems at polling locations. Director Kylie Smith told the board the map changes would relocate about 3,000 voters to new polling places and that four additional precincts would be renumbered without changing a physical polling location.

Commissioners had no public speakers in opposition or in favor during the public hearing portion for this item. A commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendation as it had been considered by the operations (OPS) committee; the motion passed.

Staff and commissioners said the changes are intended to reduce confusion on Election Day by aligning precincts with municipal boundaries and improving access for voters with mobility needs. The board did not provide a detailed vote tally in the meeting record; the clerk announced the item passed.

The county will notify affected voters of their new precincts and polling locations according to usual election procedures. The changes will take effect for upcoming elections once administrative notice and statutory posting requirements are completed.

Evidence supporting this article appears in the meeting transcript where staff presentation and the public hearing were recorded.