Spalding County board approves plan to consolidate polling places over public objections

The Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration voted 3–2 on Jan. 13 to approve Elections Director Kim Spalding's proposal to consolidate multiple precincts into larger, better‑equipped polling locations, a change Spalding's director said will streamline operations and improve contingency backup on election day.

Spalding's proposal would reduce the number of election‑day precincts and move some polling locations from sites such as fire stations and small community rooms to larger, climate‑controlled venues, the director said during a presentation that followed a packed public‑comment period. "By consolidating voting locations, streamlining election‑day processes and improving services at all polling locations, we are encouraging voters that we are working hard to provide each voter the best service possible," Spalding said.

The plan drew sustained opposition during the public comment period, with more than a dozen residents and poll managers saying the change would make it harder for seniors, people with disabilities and voters without reliable transportation to cast ballots. "This proposal to shrink the number of voting sites by almost in half smacks of nothing else but voter suppression," said Kathleen O'Halloran, a Griffin resident. Jewel Walker Hart, president of the Griffin branch of the NAACP, told the board, "You gotta fight to keep [the right to vote]. Why would I want to give them up?"

Spalding responded directly to suppression concerns: "Voter suppression attempts to gain an advantage by reducing the turnout of certain voters," she said, and added, "It does not exist in our county. As long as I'm elections director, there will not be voter suppression." She said consolidation would allow pooling of equipment (ballot marking devices, scanners, poll pads), reduce emergency backup procedures, and lower poll‑officer stress by placing more trained staff in fewer locations.

In support of the director, several poll managers described operational benefits from past consolidations, noting better accessibility and fewer setup problems at larger sites such as Oak Hill Baptist Church. Opponents, including longtime poll workers and residents, warned of longer driving distances (Kim presented "worst case" travel time estimates that in many city neighborhoods were under 15 minutes but longer in rural areas), potential confusion for voters, and the timing of the change in a gubernatorial election year.

Board members questioned the use of 2024 presidential turnout as a "worst‑case" stress test for a 2026 gubernatorial year but ultimately said they were comfortable acting on the available data and the director's operational arguments. The board heard that 33,288 ballots were cast in the November 2024 election; Spalding cited that 23,312 ballots were cast during early voting in that cycle as part of the rationale for larger, well‑staffed polling places.

After discussing alternatives — including a phased consolidation and options to make the elections office a precinct for certain voters — the board voted. Two members, identified in the meeting transcript by first name as Lee and Dexter, voted against the motion; three members voted in favor and the motion passed.

The board did not adopt specific implementation dates on Jan. 13 beyond approving the consolidation concept; Spalding said staff would continue planning and the office had already reviewed maps with state GIS staff. The meeting concluded with thanks to the elections staff and an admonition from the chair for civility as attendees left.

The board's action will change where some Spalding County voters cast ballots on election day and the elections office said it will provide additional public information about new precinct assignments and accessible locations ahead of the May qualifying and elections cycle.