Activists fighting once again to keep Lincoln County voting sites open
LINCOLNTON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Once again, Lincoln County voters and activists are trying to stop officials from closing polling locations.
Officials want to consolidate from seven polling locations to three.
It’s something election officials tried to do previously, but activists got them to turn back the plan in a battle that gained national attention as some said it was an attempt at voter suppression.
It’s back to ground zero for local activist Reverend Denise Freeman, who fought for the same battle a year ago.
“You take away people’s right to vote. You take away accessibility,” said Freeman.
Some of the same people who fought the earlier plan a little over a year ago have launched a new battle. They include Freeman, Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, Black Voters Matter and Common Cause.
“This fight will not be fought physically. But it will be fought,’’ said Freeman.
They held a gathering Wednesday ahead of the Lincoln County Board of Elections meeting.
Lilvender Bolton, director of the Lincoln County Board of Elections, said: “There’s little choice but to consolidate.”
The Lincoln Center said the polling site had to move, and the other polling locations are booked during elections..
“When you don’t have a choice, you got to do something to make it work,” said Bolton.
Lincoln County officials plan to consolidate the Lincoln Center, Faith Temple, Lincoln Clubhouse and Bethany polling sites at the Walker T. Norman Gymnasium polling spot.
The Midway location would remain active.
And moving into the new EMS Building on Highway 220 West would be the Tabernacle and Martins Crossroads locations.
The Lincoln County Board of Elections oversees about 4,000 voters; making it to the polls is an even smaller number.
“Last year, we were here 17 days, and election day and only 213 people came up. So it’s not a matter of closing to keep somebody from voting. I can be open and the people don’t come,” said Bolton.
Activists are afraid that with the change, no one will come at all.
Freeman said: “Some people will say ‘Well, it’s only a few miles for you.’ For others a few miles may be nothing. But for people who are on a tight tight knit budget, it can be to I go vote, or do I buy food for my children?”
The board of elections will discuss the decision further at their next meeting in July.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
