Letter: Reducing precincts wrong in growing county
Gina Burrell
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 12/16/07
Editor: I have learned that the St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections is reducing the number of precincts in our county from 63 to 46, effective for the Jan. 29 Presidential Primary.
In fact, eight new precinct locations will be in churches and fewer schools will be used.
We will get new Voter Information Cards to be mailed after Jan. 3, with the precinct numbers and precinct locations.
Early voting starts Jan. 14. Voters need to pay attention, because probably their precinct information will be changed. I was told by the supervisor of election's office that these reductions will save money.
So far, we are the only county in the state decreasing our precincts.
In doing research, I learned from Clay County's Supervisor of Elections office, it is not decreasing its precincts at all.
Clay is thinking of increasing them, because it is fast-growing. According to the 2006 U.S. Census, Clay County's population was 178,899. St. Johns County, with a population of 169,224, is also a fast-growing county.
I think we should be increasing, not decreasing, our precincts to make it easier for people to vote. I can envison long lines on Election Day and a lot of confusion, with all the new changes. Ten of the precincts have more than 4,000 registered voters.
I question why our Supervisor of Elections decided to choose this presidential election year of 2008, the most important election of our lifetime, to make monumental changes to our precincts. I feel there are many unanswered questions.
Also, take note. If voters haven't voted in 2006 and 2004 (federal election years), they will be taken off the voting rolls. They will have to register again.
Get out and vote.
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