A plan to consolidate some voting precincts and change certain polling locations was presented to the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Monday by the county Electoral Board.
The plan would reduce the overall number of precincts in the county from 17 to 14. The objectives are to have all polls located in Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant locations and to reduce costs in advance of the county having to purchase new voting equipment.
Schools, rather than churches, would be utilized more as polling locations under the proposal. Elections officials having been meeting with representatives of the schools to discuss the plans. In the past, schools haven’t been used in elections because of security concerns when schools are in session. Going forward, the schools would not be in session on designated election days.
The plan under consideration would encompass the following polling changes in the listed magisterial districts: Buffalo District – The airport and Ben Salem precincts would be combined into one precinct at Maury River Middle School.
Kerrs Creek District – The VoTech precinct would be moved from Life Chapel Church to Rockbridge County High School.
Natural Bridge District – The Natural Bridge Station and Falling Springs precincts would be combined into one precinct at Natural Bridge Elementary School.
South River District – The Mountain View polling location would be moved from Neriah Baptist Church to Mountain View Elementary School. The Fairfield and Vesuvius precincts would be combined into one precinct at Fairfield Elementary School.
Walkers Creek District – Rockbridge Baths and Rockbridge precincts would be combined into one precinct at the Fairfield Volunteer Rescue Squad building.
John Brandt of the Electoral Board told the supervisors that the changes would lead to savings of $50,000 when new voting equipment is purchased and to $5,000 per election in savings for personnel and materials.
The supervisors voted 4-0 to direct staff to return to the Board with a draft of a proposed ordinance that would reset and restate boundaries of any newly combined precincts. After the proposed ordinance is advertised, there will be a 45-day public comment period leading up to a public hearing. Thirty days after the public comment period closes, the supervisors will hold a vote on the proposed ordinance.
