The Columbia County Board of Elections approved a resolution for the proposed precinct changes during its meeting on Tuesday, July 18.
The board has been discussing the precinct changes for the past few months, and those changes can now be found on the county website. Some of the changes include moving precincts due to size, moving out of schools and more.
“We do have the resolution if ya’ll want to vote on that today or if you just want to vote on running the legal notice,” Gay said. “One of the two or both, however you want to do it. I haven’t received any, I haven’t really received anything from anyone.”
Board member Larry Wiggins said he felt better voting on both items during this meeting in case something happens and they don’t have a quorum at the next meeting.
The legal notice must run for 30 days and then after that the resolution will go into effect, Gay said. Board members approved both the legal notice and the resolution.
Gay told board members that qualifying for the upcoming Harlem and Grovetown elections will take place next month. Both cities handle their own qualifying, but the elections handles the actual election.
For the Grovetown election, two council seats and the mayor’s seat will be on the ballot, and qualifying will be Aug. 21-24 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who wish to file will need to pick up an application from Grovetown City Hall, 103 Old Wrightsboro Road.
For the Harlem election, two city council seats will be on the ballot, and the qualifying will be Aug. 21-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those interested in filing need to pick up an application from Harlem City Hall, 320 N. Louisville St.
Advanced voting will take place Oct. 16 through Nov. 3, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Saturday voting being held Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. Advanced voting will only be held at the former Euchee Creek Library, 5907 Euchee Creek Drive, Grovetown. Gay said this was because it is in-between the two cities. Election Day voting will take place on Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at regular precincts.
During the meeting, Gay said that Ann Cushman was reappointed and sworn-in as the chairman for the Board of Elections. Cushman was reappointed by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners last month.
The next Columbia County Board of Elections meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Board of Elections office.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
