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Rockbridge supervisors set 45‑day public comment period on proposed precinct consolidations to boost ADA access, cut election costs
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 12 to advertise a draft ordinance that would combine several precincts and move polling places (many proposed to schools) to improve ADA compliance and reduce administrative costs; the board set a 45‑day comment period with a public hearing and provided a timeline for potential adoption ahead of the June primary.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted on Jan. 12 to send a draft ordinance proposing a set of precinct consolidations and polling-place relocations out for a 45‑day public comment period and a required public hearing.
Elections staff told the board the proposal aims to increase voter accessibility — particularly ADA compliance — and reduce the long-term cost of elections, including expenses for poll books and voting equipment. Proposed changes include combining Airport and Bensalem precincts and using Murray River Middle School as the polling site; moving the Cars Creek Vo-Tech polling location from Life Chapel Church to Rockbridge County High School; combining Natural Bridge Station and Falling Springs to use Natural Bridge Elementary School; moving Mountain View polling from Nariah Baptist Church to Mountain View Elementary; combining Fairfield and Vesuvius to use Fairfield Elementary; and combining Rockbridge Bass and Rockbridge precincts to use the Fairfield Volunteer Rescue Squad building.
Elections staff outlined a timeline if the board directs staff to advertise: official notice in the newspaper on Jan. 21, a 30‑day written comment period (Feb. 9–Mar. 11), a public hearing during that period (proposed Mar. 9), a possible board vote on Mar. 23 and an effective date of Apr. 10 if adopted. Staff said the election commission will also send registered-mail notices to affected voters at least 30 days before any election affected by a change.
Supervisors acknowledged tradeoffs. One supervisor said moving some precincts would add road miles for voters — potentially a 16‑minute drive in one example — and cautioned consolidation could reduce in‑person voting convenience for certain voters. Others said using school facilities would improve ADA compliance and noted the schools had agreed to close on election days to allow polling-place use.
After discussion, the board directed staff to proceed with the advertisement and public-comment process for the ordinance as drafted and to hold the required public hearing during the comment period. The board reserved the option to modify the draft after public input before a final vote.
