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Cherokee County board directs staff to study moving several polling places out of schools
Summary
County board voted to have elections staff investigate relocating multiple polling locations — including Tunai, Macedonia and Suttellie precincts — into county facilities and to report back; changes would target 2026 pending approvals.
The Cherokee County board voted to direct elections staff to investigate moving several polling locations out of schools and other private sites into county facilities and to return to the board with a report.
Elections staff told the board they wanted to move the Tunai precinct from Johnston Elementary School to the South Cherokee Annex, relocate voting at Macedonia Elementary School to a facility known as the Buzz, and move the Suttellie precinct from Suttellie Baptist Church to the Sutale Fire Station Community Center. The staff member presenting the report said the moves would place polling equipment in county buildings, improving security and control over delivery schedules.
The elections presenter said the office seeks to reduce time voting inside schools "because there's always growing concerns for the safety of the children" and noted that voting in the gym at Johnston Elementary is a long walk for seniors and voters with disabilities. The presenter added, "We have to post a 4 by 4 sign at the old location. That's a requirement," and said voters receive a new precinct card when locations change.
The presenter told the board the Buzz and the South Cherokee Annex had been used for early voting earlier this year and that some locations would be harder to replace: Prayer and Praise Christian Fellowship would not allow the office to return for the Kellogg (Bells) precinct. The presenter said the office had not yet asked the county for permission to use the suggested county buildings and wanted direction from the board before doing so.
A board member moved that "Anne and the staff pursue these issues and bring back to us a report" on the potential moves. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The presenter and board members emphasized the changes would not be implemented until 2026 and that any use of buildings for municipal elections would require municipal consent. The presenter also said voter education work will begin next year, with staff preparing notices and outreach well in advance.
The board approved the staff to begin investigating the proposed relocations and to report back with findings and any necessary permissions or logistical steps.
