DeKalb elections staff propose shrinking 167 precincts to 148, residents warn of mail, parking and transit impacts

DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections on Tuesday presented draft changes to polling locations that would reduce the county’s 167 polling sites to 148 if the Board of Registration and Elections approves the recommendations. The changes are intended to move voters away from underused or inaccessible polling places and place more voters in facilities that staff say are closer and better equipped.

“By relocating and consolidating certain sites, the goal is to provide voters with more suitable facilities that meet their needs and enhance their voter experience,” said Keisha Smith, executive director of DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections.

Smith said the proposals are informational and not final. A public comment period and an online survey remain open through Feb. 12; staff will present a final proposal to the Board of Registration and Elections for consideration the following week. If adopted, staff said implementations would be timed to take effect with the June election cycle unless a municipality requests a different schedule.

Why it matters: county staff said the changes are intended to improve accessibility and operational efficiency. Officials said many of the affected precincts served small numbers of voters on election day because the majority of ballots in those locations were cast during advance voting in November 2024. Staff repeatedly cited early voting rates of roughly 60–80 percent in affected precincts as a rationale for consolidating sites that serve relatively few election‑day voters.

Details staff highlighted: the packet presented dozens of…