New polling places closer to approval

COLBERT COUNTY - Growth and population shifts are responsible for the relocation of nine Colbert County voting locations.

Colbert commissioners passed a resolution this week approving the changes, which must now be sent to the U.S. Department of Justice for its approval.

Crosslin said population growth in a precinct is one of the main reasons polling places have to be relocated from time to time.

The probate judge's office began the process in the spring when Crosslin asked commissioners to search their districts for new polling places.

Requests to move polling places can come from voters or the volunteers who work at the polling places.

"November was really a tremendous test for voting locations and for workers," Crosslin said, referring to the 2008 general election.

Record turnouts were reported at polling places across the country and the Shoals was no different.

That gave Crosslin and poll workers an opportunity to gauge if the polling place was still suited for the number of voters in each precinct.

Some were able to process large numbers of people relatively quickly. There may have been lines of people to vote throughout the day, but they were able to exercise their right to vote relatively quickly.

"At one point in time, a location may be the best, but the population might shift to the other end of that precinct, so we have to adjust to it," Crosslin said. "We just try to stay on top of it."

Crosslin said the most convenient location is always sought but not always found.

The original list of polling places included Lagrange Fire Department and Sheffield Fire Station No. 1. Crosslin said a suitable substitute for the fire station couldn't be found and it was decided to wait a while before moving the Lagrange polling place.

In Muscle Shoals, First Southern Baptist Church was getting too small for the number of voters, but a large enough location couldn't be found. Officials decided to split the box, leaving half the voters at the church and moving the rest to City Hall.

"They literally had to direct traffic out there on Wilson Dam Road it was so bad," said Commissioner Troy Woodis, whose district includes Muscle Shoals.

He and Muscle Shoals City Clerk Ricky Williams went several places but could not find a location inside the precinct large enough to accommodate voters. Woodis said Muscle Shoals' population is growing to the southeast.

Crosslin said once the changes are approved by the justice department, voters in the affected precincts will be notified by mail. Notices also will be printed in local newspapers.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.