The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with advertising a proposed plan by the county Electoral Board to combine certain election precincts and move certain polling places.
At the Board’s meeting last Monday, Jan. 12, the supervisors voted 5-0 to advertise the proposal and hold a 45-day public comment period from Feb. 6 to March 13. It was noted that any public comments received prior to Feb. 6 will be accepted and made part of the record.
The proposal, as presented by the Electoral Board to the supervisors on Dec. 8 and again last week, would reduce the number of precincts in the county from 17 to 13. Electoral Board members explained that the proposal is intended to resolve Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility issues and to reduce the overall costs of conducting elections.
The proposed relocation of some polling places was made possible by the Rockbridge County School Board agreeing to close schools on election days. That would allow voting to take place in public schools without security concerns associated with such a use while school is in session.
The following changes are proposed in the plan: Buffalo District – Combine the Airport and Ben Salem precincts and use Maury River Middle School as the polling location.
Kerrs Creek District – Move VoTech precinct polling location from Life Chapel Church to Rockbridge County High School.
Natural Bridge District – Combine the Natural Bridge Station and Falling Springs precincts and use Natural Bridge Elementary School as the polling location South River District – Move the Mountain View polling location from Neriah Baptist Church to Mountain View Elementary School. Combine the Fairfield and Vesuvius precincts and use Fairfield Elementary School as the polling location.
Walkers Creek District – Combine Rockbridge Baths and Rockbridge precincts and use the Fairfield Volunteer Rescue Squad as the polling location.
At last week’s meeting, Walkers Creek Supervisor Jay Lewis raised questions about the increased distance voters who have been casting ballots at the Rockbridge Baths firehouse would have to go, under the proposal, to vote at the Fairfield Rescue Squad building.
Steve Hart, taking part in his first meeting as Kerrs Creek supervisor, said he too worried about the effect the increased traveling time would have on those Walkers Creek voters. He said the other proposed changes elsewhere in the county seemed fine.
Buffalo Supervisor Leslie Ayers said she understood the concerns raised but said she preferred to advance the proposal so that it could be advertised and public comment could be received. Later, adjustments could be made to the plan as warranted before the supervisors approve it.
A motion by Ayers to move forward with the plan as presented was seconded by Hart and approved 5-0.
