COURTHOUSE — The City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 9, voted to clear the way for the creation of eight new voting precincts, relocation of three polling locations and other changes needed for this year’s elections.
Due to redistricting and a new local voting system, about 20,000 voters will change polling locations this year, according to the city. Boundaries are being changed to line up with new state legislative and local voting districts.
Other changes include removing precinct names and replacing them with numbers, and the city also will request a waiver to administer a split precinct at what is now called Precinct 69 at Unity Church of Tidewater. Election officials are working to get the changes certified through the state attorney general’s office and will sent notices to all city voters.
During an interview, Christine Lewis, the director of the Virginia Beach Department of Voter Registration and Elections, said the changes are needed to accommodate elections under the new voting system and redistricting.
In part, they address complications that have arisen from the court-ordered new 10-district voting system, which remains in effect for the 2022 elections, though its future after this year is uncertain. Lewis said the office will mail out notices to voters, and she said people can look up their precincts and voting locations online via vote.elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation. Also, a link to a polling location lookup tool and additional voter information is online at the city website via www.vbgov.com/voter.
Christian Logan, the chief deputy director of elections, said the office is working to assist voters and avoid confusion this year, including in the instance of Precinct 69, where there potentially could be multiple ballot styles.
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, City Councilmember Barbara Henley expressed concern about the changes, particularly name changes, which could confuse voters this year.
City Councilmember Aaron Rouse asked about communicating changes and information about the system, and City Manager Patrick Duhaney said the city is working to provide information to the public.
“If they changed the place where you vote or if it’s a split precinct, you will get … written notification,” City Councilmember John Moss said.
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I do not want to vote at a church. Second time since voting in my neighborhood that it has occurred. Last time was when Obama ran. And last time I voted we were squeezed in a library. There are two elementary schools available. One has to but you know one thing you better vote. No matter how it’s discouraged. You won’t stop people who are determined to stop corruption. VOTE till they’re GONE