County BOE’s voting precinct consolidation to affect thousands of area voters next election

LISBON -- The Columbiana County Board of Elections approved an official voting precinct reduction plan, bringing the total number of precincts down to 73 from 87 and the total number of polling locations down to 61 from 69.

The final plan was introduced at the latest board of elections meeting where it was passed unanimously. 17,069 voters across the county are estimated to be affected by the change according to Director Kim Fusco. All affected voters will be receiving a postcard notifying them of the change and how it will affect their voting location.

Some voters will barely notice the change. But some voters will need to change course and travel to a new location to cast their votes depending on which building was selected between the two consolidated precincts. Deputy director Bryce Miner said picking which building to use was not a simple decision.

"We thought about geographical constraints, building quality and ADA accessibility in a lot of these facilities as well, so looking at the two options of building locations, we did our best to pick the optimal building," Miner said.

Fusco said the average mileage between the original precinct and the consolidated precinct is two miles, an estimated five minute drive. Fusco acknowledged that transportation might be an issue for some voters, and said that in-person early voting at the elections office and absentee voting are both still options for the next election.

Miner said the current number of registered voters in the county is 5,000 lower than it was during the last consolidation in 2010, despite the population number staying relatively the same. Ohio law requires there to be no more than 1,400 voters in each precinct, and some of the old precincts only had between 500 and 800 voters each. The consolidation brings the total number of voters in each of the precincts closer to 1.200. Chairman Dave Johnson raised concern that the increase of voters per precinct would force the polls to stay open later in order to accommodate everyone. Both Fusco and Miner said the number is still well within the legal limit and there should not be any issues, especially considering the total number of registered voters.

"Our registration numbers are pretty low with 66,000 people around the county, I don't foresee there to be any lines or anything like that at this point in time," Fusco said.

Fewer locations and precincts calls for fewer need poll workers. Each election will need 56 less workers which will save the board a total of $12,992 annually, or $464 per election. The board has experience a staffing shortage in recent years and has struggled to recruit and adequate number of workers per location.

"This consolidation allows for flexibility with our board and our staffing shortages," Miner said.

Below is a list of the consolidate precincts and the new polling locations. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Board of Elections at 330-424-6661.

East Liverpool City

-- Combine 2-A (663) and 2-B (563). 2-A currently votes at the First Church of the Nazarene and 2-B at the East Liverpool Area Community Center. The new precinct will vote at the First Church of the Nazarene and be named "2-A"(1226). New location .9 miles, 3 minutes travel time from old location.

East Palestine

-- Rename all precincts to reflect East Palestine Village instead of City.

-- Combine 1-A (684) and 2-A (591). 1-A currently votes at the East Palestine Fire Station and 2-A at the Church of Christ. The new precinct will vote at the East Palestine Fire Station and be named "1"(1275). East Palestine Village 3-A and 4-A would subsequently be renamed "2" and "3". New location .1 mile, 1 minute travel time from old location.

Salem

-- Combine 1-A (416) and 1-B (857). 1-A and 1-B both currently vote at the Memorial Building. The new precinct will remain voting at the Memorial Building and be named "1-A"(1273). Salem City 1-C would subsequently be renamed "1-B". No relocation.

Center Township

-- Combine NE (634) and NW (645). NE currently votes at the Lisbon Baptist Temple and NW at St. George Parish Hall. Recommend having the new precinct vote at the Lisbon Baptist Temple and be named "North"(1279). New location 2.7 miles, 6 minutes travel time from old location.

Elkrun Township

-- Combine Elkton (599) and Signal (650). Elkton currently votes at the Elkton Methodist Church and Signal at the Lake Mount Church of Christ. The new precinct will vote at the Lake Mount Church of Christ and be named "Elkrun Township" (1249) as the sole Elkrun Township precinct. New location 6.7 miles, 13 minutes travel time from old location.

Fairfield Township

-- Combine SE (578) and West (687). SE currently votes at the East Fairfield United Methodist Church and West at the Fairfield Township Government Center. The new precinct will vote at the Fairfield Township Government Center and be named "South"(1265). New location 4.3 miles, 7 minutes travel time from old location.

Knox Township

-- Combine SE (474) and SW (746). SE currently votes at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and SW at the Homeworth Fire Station. Recommend having the new precinct vote at the Homeworth Fire Station and be named "South"(1220). New location 4.7 miles, 8 minutes travel time from old location.

Liverpool Township

-- Combine East (496) and North (797). East currently votes at the Liverpool Township Fire Station and North at the East Liverpool Area Community Center. The new precinct will vote at the East Liverpool Area Community Center and be named "East"(1293). New location 1.1 miles, 2 minutes travel time from old location.

-- Combine NW (643) and West (659). NW currently votes at the Liverpool Twp. Administration Building and West at the Campground Community Church. Recommend having the new precinct vote at the Liverpool Township Administration Building and be named "West"(1302). New location 2.8 miles, 5 minutes travel time from old location.

Middleton Township

-- Combine NW (643) and South (674). NW currently votes at the Negley VFD and South at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. The new precinct will vote at the Negley VFD and be named "Negley"(1317). Middleton Township NE would subsequently be renamed "Rogers". New location 3.5 miles, 6 minutes travel time from old location.

St. Clair Township

-- Combine Calcutta (644) and South (659). Calcutta and South both currently vote at the St. Clair Township Administration Building. The new precinct will remain voting at the St. Clair Township Administration Building and be named "Calcutta"(1303).

-- Rename SW to "South". West Township 1.Combine East Rochester (744) and New Chambersburg (502). East Rochester currently votes at the West Community Center and New Chambersburg at the New Alexander Christian Church. The new precinct will vote at the West Community Center and be named "East Rochester"(1246). New location 5 miles, 9 minutes travel time from old location.

Wellsville Village

-- Combine 1 (285) and 3 (690). 1 and 3 both currently vote at the Wellsville High School. The new precinct will remain voting at the Wellsville High School and be named "1"(975).

-- Wellsville 2 will move to the Wellsville High School (743). New location 0.3 miles, 2 minutes travel time from old location.

Yellow Creek Township

-- Combine East (886) and West (436). East currently votes at the Hope Christian Fellowship and West at the Oakridge Presbyterian Church. The new precinct vote at the Hope Christian Fellowship and be named "Yellow Creek Township"(1322) as the sole Yellow Creek Township precinct. New location 1.2 miles, 2 minutes travel time from old location.