Dispute Leads Move Of South Floyd Voting Precinct To GHC

The South Floyd voting precinct is moving from Veterans of Foreign Wars Outpost 4911 on Cedartown Road to Georgia Highlands College’s Lakeview Building after a dispute.

“By their request, we have ended our relationship with the VFW,” Floyd County Board of Elections Chair Jerry Lee said. “The environment became less than conducive to running an election.”

According to Lee, the issue was a dispute with the post quartermaster that began earlier this year, after the last election cycle.

When poll workers called the VFW post to confirm they would have access to the building, they were told that if they didn’t show up “the equipment would be thrown in the street,” Lee said.

The board had concerns that the polling location may not be a safe environment for poll workers, so began looking for other locations.

“As a veteran, I’m disappointed that a veterans group doesn’t want to be part of our elections process,” Lee said. “But patriotism, and our elections, will move forward.”

The Floyd County Board of Elections voted unanimously Tuesday to move the polling location.

The GHC campus was an easy choice, according to Lee, with ample parking and a very accommodating administration. The new polling location will be in the art gallery at the front door of the Lakeview Building.

“It’s a great location, ADA compliant with lots of parking,” Lee said. “And a lot of support from the dean.”

The board also discussed whether GHC would be an ideal early voting location. However, Elections Supervisor Akyn Beck said it may not be a feasible location because the elections equipment would have to monopolize the use of the facility for several weeks during the election.

“It may be hard for the college to lose that space for a few weeks, but we’ll check with them,” she said. “The (Floyd County) parks and rec department has more flexibility with letting us use space.”