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NEW CUMBERLAND -- Several voting precincts in Hancock County will be on the move following action by county commissioners.
As part of their meeting Thursday, commissioners approved an order for precinct changes in the county.
“This is a combining of precincts,” Commission President Eron Chek noted.
Commissioners began the process of the precinct changes during a special meeting June 15, when officials noted the move was an effort to meet new regulations stipulated by the passage of Senate Bill 481 earlier this year.
SB 481 removed the requirement to operate precincts separately if they are located in the same polling place while still requiring results to be reported independently. It allows multiple precincts to use the same voting booths, election commissioners, clerks and ballot boxes.
Under the approved proposal, the county will move Precinct 1 from Allison Elementary School to the Chester City Building; Precinct 2 from the Chester Volunteer Fire Department to the Chester City Building; Precinct 5 from the Lawrenceville Volunteer Fire Department to the Chester City Building; Precinct 10 from the Old New Cumberland School to the Hancock County Health Department; Precinct 11 from New Cumberland Christian Church to the Hancock County Health Department; Precinct 19 from the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop to Weir High School; and Precinct 28 from Christ United Methodist Church to Weirton Elementary School.
County Clerk Karan Valenti explained registered voters affected by the change will receive a notice stating their precinct number and new voting location.
“Everyone will be getting notified if their precinct is changing,” Valenti said.
New electronic poll books allow voters to check in at the polling location and receive a voting slip that, when read by the polling machine, informs the machine of each individual’s precinct, allowing the machines to be used by all voters.
Officials said they hope the change will reduce wait times during the voting process.
“They can go to any of the machines,” Chek said.
In other business Thursday, commissioners:
-- Agreed to advertise for seats on the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board and the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority Board.
-- Appointed Mary Lou Yeater to the Hancock County Museum Commission.
-- Made a matter of record an amendment to Section E of the employee policy. Commissioner Paul Cowey said the adjustments are the result of name changes made by the county’s insurance providers.
-- Approved an updated salary schedule in line with Senate Bill 587.
-- Promoted Lee Ann Hawthorne from part-time office assistant to full time, effective July 31.
-- Approved the general election emergency absentee voting policy.
-- Approved the agreement with Hancock County Schools for the Prevention Resource Program.