Rockingham County elections board approves new polling locations for 2026 primary after public concerns about notification and parking

The Rockingham County Board of Elections voted Thursday to move multiple election-day polling locations and two early-voting sites for the 2026 primary, prompting public questions about notification, parking and safety.

Chair (unnamed) presented the recommended changes and said the county sought publicly owned sites ‘‘so we have more control’’ over operations and can better ensure ADA compliance, parking and curbside voting. The recommended changes, moved by Dr. Jones and seconded by a board member, set election-day locations for Draper at Mill Avenue Recreation Center; Eden at Douglas Elementary School; Eden Central at Morehead High School; Reedsville 2 at Reedsville Middle School; and Reedsville 1 at Moss Street Elementary. The motion also named Eden City Hall and Penrose Mall as early-voting sites and left Stoneville Elementary on the roster at Sharon Community Outreach Center by exception. Chair announced the motion carried after a voice vote; Miss Gutierrez registered opposition.

Why it matters: staff said the state board had urged the use of public buildings over private sites so county officials can better control election-day conditions and minimize interference in…