Bull Run voting precinct moved
Edgemoor Baptist location sets off lengthy rebuttal at County Commission meeting
The May 3 primary election was destined to be complicated.
Anderson County has seen new census numbers, realigned and shifting districts, one new voting precinct, and two established precincts being relocated.
The relocation of one such precinct caused a lengthy debate Monday night during the County Commission meeting — inadvertently drawing in discussion on another precinct move (See, “Letters,” on Page 4A in today’s edition) — and in the end, all the commission could do was “respectfully request) that the Anderson County Election Commission revisit the change of the Bull Run voting precinct.
Anderson County Administrator of Elections Mark Stephens reported to commission an update on the 2022 elections. Stephens told commissioners that early voting for the May 3 primary begins in 23 days (from Monday, March 21) and all early voting locations (Clinton, Oak Ridge, and Andersonville) would remain the same. He also said one new voting precinct is being added due to the 2020 census results.
The new precinct will be located at Porch Manor, 122 Bluebird Lane, Heiskell, to “accomdate the folks on Brushy Valley, Sinking Springs, and Mountain Road and all of that area.”
But it was the relocating of one precinct, the Bull Run Precinct, that brought out questions.
Stephens said the Bull Run Precinct, which is polled at the Claxton Community Center, a.k.a. Claxton Optimist Club, has been moved to Edgemoor Baptist Church.
Stephens said that after every election the Election Commission studies the election and makes “tweaks” to make elections better.
Stephens said the Bull Run Precinct was, “deficient in handicap accessibility, parking, etc.” and Edgemoor Baptist “checks all the boxes.”
But the move doesn’t set well with District 1 Commissioner Tracy Wandell.
“Did the board think that through very well … I guess my question is having someone that has a relative running for office at that church — they’re great people, don’t get me wrong — but it’s kinda concerning to me that you’d have it set up that way,” Wandell said.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me to have it there. It took a long time for our community to get used to having it at the Optimist Club and you’re moved it over to the church and you didn’t really give any notice.”