Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Elections staff move to relocate polling places for May 19 primary; arts and health nonprofits ask county for funding
Summary
Elections staff asked the commission to waive rules and approve emergency relocations for several polling places affected by graduations and storm damage ahead of the May 19 primary; Alabama Dance Theatre and the Alabama Kidney Foundation requested $15,000 and $10,000 respectively from the commission.
Elections staff told the commission that several precinct locations originally planned for the May 19 primary are unavailable (graduation conflicts at ASU/Acadome and storm damage at Newtown Community Center) and asked for authority to waive ordinary rules to implement emergency relocations immediately.
Alexandra Stevens (managing director/elections) said staff had confirmed alternative sites (for example, Lockhart Gym as an ASU substitute) and planned an outreach schedule including mailed notices, sandwich-board signage at closed sites, phone/website contact options for confused voters, radio and television outreach, and social-media messaging. Stevens said staff would provide additional site reviews as needed and that precinct signage on election day and A-frame notices would steer voters to available locations while giving a phone number and website for additional help.
During the public-comment portion, representatives of two nonprofits requested county support. Emily Flowers of the Alabama Dance Theatre asked for $15,000 to underwrite a free summer performance at the Riverfront Amphitheater and cited educational and community benefits; commissioners indicated they would consider the request at the next meeting. Becky Connolly and Shannon Morrell of the Alabama Kidney Foundation requested $10,000 to support dialysis patients (transportation, bills, food) and statewide education; commissioners said they remained supportive but that the county's agency-review and audit process would inform any final allocation.
Elections staff said they would run a focused 30-day media push and use targeted notices for the affected precincts to minimize voter confusion ahead of the primary.
