Plus additional changes announced ahead of the 2023 November vote

Two precincts are being moved around ahead of the 2023 vote to accommodate those who cast their ballots in two of Polk County’s precincts.

Elections Director Noah Beck announced this morning that a move is happening for the Cedartown precinct, changing location from the Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Complex gym to the Goodyear Civic Center beginning this election cycle.

The Goodyear Civic Center will from now on additionally host early voting, per Beck. He said the move is being made to accommodate a growing number of early voters who cast their ballots in Cedartown. The location also has air conditioning available, which is a positive improvement for both poll workers and voters alike since the gym at Bert Wood only had heating to provide warmth during late fall and winter votes.

Summer votes in the gym were difficult due to the lack of air conditioning, Beck said.

He added that the early voting move will allow for a greater number of voters to take part at one time as increases in ballots being cast ahead of November votes in person grows.

The second precinct move also comes with a name change: Camp Antioch will be hosting this year’s election for Youngs Grove precinct voters, and will be taking on the name of the historic school campus on Antioch Road.

Though Youngs Grove voters will remain in the same geographic boundary for their precinct, the location and name change is meant to provide those in the area with better facilities and parking as change goes into effect for the November ballot.

Individual voters will be getting a note in the mail from the Elections office about the changes to their precinct, Beck said. Advertising on radio and billboards is also happening heading into this year’s municipal election cycle.

“We want to make sure as many people know that these changes are happening this year so they are able to plan accordingly and participate in the election process,” Beck said.

The ballot this year also includes a SPLOST initiative countywide for an extension past 2026 collections.

Beck said there’s additional positive improvements happening with new tech at the Goodyear Civic Center for early voter check-in. He said there will be no more forms to fill out as early voters will now only have to scan their ID to cast a ballot.

The new process for voter check-in applies to the new precinct at the Goodyear Civic Center in Cedartown, and for those early voting at the Nathan Dean Community Center in Rockmart.

The technology upgrade comes as another improvement for the voter check-in operations as the office seeks to streamline the early voting process for those who come out ahead of the November election.

Anyone who hasn’t gotten themselves registered to vote have less than a month now to complete the process to be able to take part in early voting or the November 7 vote.

This year’s voter registration deadline is coming up on October 10. Those who haven’t registered to vote can visit the Board of Elections office site for more information.

FYI:

Addresses of new precincts:

Cedartown – 108 Prior St., Cedartown, GA, 30125

Camp Antioch – 3900 Antioch Road, Cedartown, GA, 30125