Voting precinct changes expected to cause confusion

MT. PLEASANT — The impact of redistricting could generate confusion among some Henry County voters.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors took the first step toward approving newly aligned voting precincts, a process that will be completed with a final vote on March 22.

“What caused these issues is the county being divided up into separate House and Senate districts,” County Auditor Shelly Barber said.

With redistricting, Salem, Tippecanoe and Center townships, including the cities within them, are now part of State House District 87 and Senate District 44.

Jackson, Baltimore, New London Trenton, Marion, Canaan, Scott, Wayne and Jefferson townships, including the cities within them, are in State House District 95 and Senate District 48.

“The way they changed our districts to be are Jackson and Baltimore they turned into Precinct 8,” Barber explained. “My biggest issue with that is that there is nowhere in those two townships to hold an election — there are no buildings where I could have a polling place.”

As a result, Precinct 8 will have to vote in Salem.

However, because Salem Township is in a different House and Senate Districts from Baltimore and Jackson townships, voters in Salem Township will now have to vote in Precinct 3 at the Emergency Management Building on the west side of Mt. Pleasant.

“Previously, Salem and Jackson townships voted in Salem,” Barber said. “Baltimore voted in New London.

“They will be unhappy, and they will be confused. I apologize greatly for it. The problem is they are now a completely different legislative district than Jackson and Baltimore are. My options were extremely limited.”

Another change is Precinct 1, which votes in Wayland, will now include Trenton, Marion, Jefferson and parts of Wayne townships.

Barber said that all of the changes were based solely on the Legislature’s approval of state redistricting maps.

“The changes in Henry County Polling Places and Voting Precincts, myself as Commissioner of Elections or the Board of Supervisors or the Secretary of State had no part in making,” she said.

She added that she understands that the changes may cause hardships for some voters and that there are alternative voting options.

Voters can submit a request for an absentee ballot. Those requests are available on the county’s website, in the Auditor’s office and on the Secretary of State’s website.

There also will be early in-person absentee voting available at the Courthouse. Dates and times will be released in advance of elections.

Comments: james.jennings@southeastiowaunion.com