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Residents urge Spalding County elections board to reconsider proposed precinct closures
Summary
At a Dec. 9 Spalding County Board of Elections meeting, residents including Ebony Compton and Kathleen O'Halloran asked the board to reconsider a proposal to close nearly half of local voting precincts, saying closures would reduce access for seniors, low-income residents and people with disabilities.
Residents urged the Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration on Dec. 9 to halt plans to close nearly half of the county's voting precincts, saying the reductions would limit access for vulnerable populations.
Ebony Compton, who identified herself as a Griffin resident, told the board she lives at 195 Steele Road and asked officials to reconsider closing “nearly half of the voting precincts here in Spalding County.” She said: “Reducing our precincts may save you money, but it'll cost us access,” adding that “Seniors, low income residents, people with disabilities, and anyone without transportation will face travel times, longer lines, and more confusion about where to vote.”
Compton also cited state requirements about precinct assignments, saying, “Georgia law requires voters to use their assigned precincts,” and warned that closing polling places in a state where election rules face heightened scrutiny could create an appearance of voter suppression even if that is not the board's intent. “Closing these precincts is bad politics and a bad policy,” she said.
The board opened the meeting with procedural remarks and a reminder of public-comment rules: speakers must sign up, provide names and addresses, may speak for three minutes, and board members will not ask questions during the comment period. After Compton, Kathleen O'Halloran began public comment saying she was there to discuss the proposal to close roughly half of the county's voting precincts; the recorded segment ends while she is introducing her concerns.
The recorded portion of the meeting shows public concerns but does not record any vote or formal action on precinct changes during the public-comment portion. The board announced rules and decorum guidelines and proceeded through opening items; any formal consideration, staff presentation or vote on precinct changes is not shown in the provided transcript segment.
