DeKalb elections staff OK temporary polling relocations and 20 early-voting sites for May primary
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Summary
The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections approved temporary relocations for eight polling places affected by summer school construction and a plan for 20 early-voting sites April 27–May 15; staff provided distance changes and the number of affected voters for each move.
The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections on Feb. 12 approved staff-recommended temporary relocations for eight polling places the department says will be unavailable during the summer because of school construction, and it authorized a 20-site early voting plan for the May 19 general primary.
Director of Elections staff presented the summer relocations, saying the moves would apply to May and, if necessary, a potential June runoff. Examples included moving the Cross Keys High precinct to Woodward Elementary (a 0.04-mile change) and shifting Winbrook Elementary to Stevenson High (a 0.67-mile change). Staff provided the projected number of impacted voters for each move; totals ranged from roughly 3,600 to just over 7,000 depending on the site. "Those would be changes," the director said while walking the board through slide-by-slide details and distance calculations.
During discussion, board members pressed staff on outreach and accessibility. One member asked whether voters would be notified; staff said the office would mail precinct cards and deploy signage and other communications "well in advance of the election" once the board approved the sites. Board members also asked about parking and ADA access at school sites; the director said staff had assessed sites and coordinated with school administration to ensure required parking and access.
The board then approved the temporary polling-place changes by voice vote after a motion to approve was made and seconded.
On early voting, staff recommended a full early-voting window from April 27 through May 15 with weekday hours of 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sundays noon–5 p.m. The list included several existing and a few new sites intended to distribute access across the county. One board member questioned a cluster of sites in a portion of the county and noted a long drive to a new Bethel location; staff said statutory site limitations and venue availability constrained options and that turnout history informed placement decisions.
A motion to approve the 20 early-voting sites and times passed by voice vote. The director said staff will coordinate signage, mailings and other outreach to affected voters after the board’s formal approvals.
