Johns Creek council debates whether to fund a second early-voting site as Fulton County offers one

Johns Creek City Council members discussed on March 24 whether the city should agree to pay for a second early voting location after Fulton County proposed providing only one site and asked for the city's response by April 7. A councilmember who sponsored the item said Fulton County had moved a proposed site from Spruill Library to the OC Library and offered the city the option to add a second site for an additional local cost.

"Fulton County has offered to split the cost of voting with us this year," the sponsoring councilmember said, and staff distributed the county packet with proposed locations and finance estimates.

Councilmembers debated four practical questions: whether neighboring cities (notably Roswell) might share the cost, whether East Roswell Library could serve as the second location if Roswell approves it, whether the April 7 deadline is negotiable, and whether road construction or access issues in October–November could reduce the practical value of a single OC location. Councilmembers repeatedly urged staff to press Fulton County and the county commissioners to provide more locations on the east side of State Route 400.

Staff clarified that, for budgeting purposes, adding a second early-voting site would increase the city’s planning estimate by $16,087; staff also told council that packet materials include a separate estimate of potential runoff-related costs and that they would confirm the correct figure. Several councilmembers said they preferred to partner with neighboring cities if possible; others said they would support adding a second location if no viable partner appears.

Direction and next steps: Council asked staff to tell Fulton County the body is still considering the request and to return to council with any updates (including whether Roswell commits to the East Roswell Library). The council signaled support for waiting to hear Roswell’s committee decision and for bringing a clear if-then plan—execute A if Roswell adds East Roswell, execute B if it does not—before committing funds.

The council did not take a formal vote on the funding question at the work session; staff and members said the item would be revisited at a future council meeting before any financial commitment.

Why it matters: The decision affects how accessible early voting will be for Johns Creek residents in a year with statewide contests and could change local traffic and outreach needs for the city and neighboring jurisdictions.