Cherokee County elections board approves moving three polling places; discusses early-vote plans

The Cherokee County Elections Board voted unanimously to move three Election Day polling locations into county facilities and spent the remainder of the meeting discussing early voting locations and turnout-management plans.

The board approved relocating the Tunai precinct from Johnston Elementary School to the South Cherokee Annex building, the Macedonia precinct from Macedonia Elementary School to the Buzz, and the Suttelli precinct from Suttelli Baptist Church to the Suttelli Fire Department community room. Anne (elections director) said the county had approved those moves and asked the board to vote.

The change was driven by efforts to reduce the number of school-based polling places and to place election equipment in locations the office considers more secure, Anne said. "We are trying to get out of schools when we can. . . . the equipment, the security of the equipment is better in county buildings," she told the board.

Board members moved and seconded the changes; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The transcript records the outcome as unanimous but does not list a roll-call tally.

The board also discussed early voting plans for two upcoming contests: the June 17 special primary, in which the only item expected on the ballot is the state Public Service Commission (PSC) race, and the Nov. 4 municipal/general special election, which will include PSC races and municipal contests in Ball Ground.

For the June 17 election the elections office would open at the South Cherokee Annex building. For the Nov. 4 municipal election, Anne proposed opening the elections office at the South Cherokee Annex and opening Ball Ground Public Library only during the final week of early voting; she said the Ball Ground city manager indicated one week would likely be sufficient. Anne specifically said she was not asking for a vote on the early voting plan at the meeting but wanted the board to consider it and consult with party officials as needed.

Board members raised operational concerns based on the November 2024 cycle, when heavy turnout produced long lines and extended vehicle backups at the elections office. One board member said traffic during early voting in 2024 produced waits of roughly 45 minutes and that even drop-box users were delayed. Anne said staff have met with library administrators about parking and other site problems at Rose Creek and Hickory Flat and are exploring churches and other sites for 2026 to reduce congestion.

Board members asked staff to share turnout data: Anne said she had already pulled early-vote turnout figures and offered to email them to board members. A board member urged staff to consider splitting locations with especially high early turnout if feasible.

The minutes from the board's Jan. 6 meeting and the meeting agenda were also approved by unanimous voice vote earlier in the session.

During public comment, Bruce Behrman, who identified himself as recovering from a stroke, thanked election staff for their work and urged them to "keep up the good work." Several board members praised staff publicly and noted an informational outreach effort under development that would explain safeguards and procedures used to protect election integrity. "I think our election staff and our election office, I'm so proud of that office," a board member identified as John said.

Board members and staff said planning for 2026 is already underway, and that any legislative changes shortening early voting would require adjustments to site planning and staffing. Anne said the office is monitoring legislative chatter and turnout trends and is aiming to add more early voting locations for 2026 if sites can be secured.

The board did not take further formal action on early voting locations at the meeting; staff said they would return with more details and data.