A public hearing was held November 17 in the courthouse as part of the approval process toward Washington County’s changing from 33 polling places to 16 centralized voting centers. Probate Judge Charles Singleton showed maps and slides illustrating the suggested changes. Under the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the U.S. Justice Department must approve any election change in Alabama, and part of that process is a public hearing.

Since Singleton took office in January 2007, Washington County has held 10 elections, several of them special elections. He estimated that voting centers could have saved the county $120,000 in election expenses.

Federal law requires that citizens vote in a district dictated by their E-911 address.

Handing the correct ballot style to Washington County voters became troublesome because district lines for the county commission and county school board are drawn differently. For example: a voter may vote for commissioner in District 3 and school board member in District 2. Now that the registrar’s office has all names and E-911 addresses computerized, correct ballot style will generated by computer, eliminating human error.

Several citizens expressed opposition or had questions; some even wanted new polling places established. Tootsie Downey of Sunflower said she is concerned that the Sunflower community is losing its identity and a polling place in Sunflower would be more convenient than citizens voting at Wagarville. Half of Sunflower residents already drive to Wagarville. “Sunflower is an old established voting place,” she stated. Since the Cortelyou polling place is scheduled to be closed, she wants that structure moved to Sunflower.

Singleton replied that he once voted at Loper; his father and his grandfather voted at Loper. “Nobody votes at Loper anymore,” he said. “We pay local fire departments $100 for using those public facilities and there is no upkeep or expense on the county’s part,” he emphasized.

The Rev. Tommy Moore, who serves as manager of Carson/Prestwick box, said his concerns about that box being closed and moved to Leroy Firehouse is safety and congestion. He noted the lack of parking space and its proximity to Highway 43. “It will be unsafe for senior citizens who must back out onto Highway 43,” he stressed. He said he did not think voters could park on Leroy High School property. Singleton assured him that he had looked into this and schools can be used. “I am going to use McIntosh High School itself as a polling place.”

Commission Kesler Weaver is opposed to using private polling places (churches). He expressed caution about rushing into these changes. “I can’t see cutting the polling places in half. We don’t need to rush into this, but do it gradually and slowly,” he emphasized.

Singleton responded that each time a change is requested, the Justice Department charges the county $15,000, and it would destroy the cost effectiveness to be continually going to them and paying $15,000. As presently designed, the two churches previously used as polling places have been eliminated.

A court reporter was present taking down all comments. A transcript of the hearing along with proposed changes and locations of prospective voting centers will be sent to the Justice Department who will notify the county if the change is allowed under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.