Board moves three precincts after Istanbul Cultural Center withdraws as polling site
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Summary
Fulton County election officials told the board that the Istanbul Cultural Center withdrew as an emergency polling location because of safety concerns tied to social‑media rhetoric; the board unanimously approved relocating three precincts and ordered remailing of precinct cards and relocation signage.
The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections voted unanimously April 9 to relocate three precincts after the Istanbul Cultural Center informed the county that it would no longer host voting amid safety concerns.
The board’s chair told members the center had "withdrawn their ability to have it as a polling location" after negative social‑media rhetoric and concerns for staff and voter safety, and asked to amend the agenda to consider an emergency polling relocation. Director Williams said the center’s decision left the county "sad that we had to relocate" but necessary to protect voters and poll workers.
Why it matters: The change affects voters who had already received precinct cards; staff said the county will remail updated precinct cards, place relocation signage at Manning Oaks and the Istanbul Center, and post guidance online. Director Williams told the board the county will "redo relocation signage" and "remail precinct cards" so voters know the new locations.
What the board approved: Director Williams proposed moving precinct AP07A to the Alpharetta Public Library, AP07C to Willis Park Recreation Center, and ML06A to Cambridge High School. The board adopted the changes by voice vote; the chair declared the measure unanimous.
Board members also discussed outreach and safety. Legal counsel reminded the board that under OCGA 21‑2‑265 a polling location may be changed within 60 days of an election if the site is unavailable, and urged timely voter notification. Multiple members expressed regret that rhetoric forced the move; one member apologized to the Istanbul Cultural Center for the negative discourse they had received.
Next steps: Staff will remail precinct cards to affected voters, erect directional signage at the former sites, update online resources, and coordinate with affected cities. The board’s unanimous vote implements the emergency relocation for the May 19 primary.
