Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Directions to new polling site contain error
Tom Joyce
Staff Reporter
DOBSON - The switch of a county voting site from its longtime location at Franklin Elementary School to a nearby church has occurred without a hitch, except for one small glitch.
A letter mailed last week to affected voters in the Mount Airy No. 8 precinct informs them that they can access the new polling place at Faith Baptist Church by turning onto Golden Pond Trail from North Franklin Road.
The only problem is, Golden Pond Trail connects with “South” Franklin Road - not “North.”
“We're sorry that happened,” Susan Jarrell, the director of the Surry County Board of Elections, said Friday of the mistake.
She added that officials are not intending to issue a new letter with corrected directions. But Jarrell stressed to voters who might not be that familiar with the area that they do need to make sure they're on “South” Franklin to reach the polls when the May 6 primary is held.
The geographical layout of the lengthy Franklin Road often is confusing to both locals and out-of-towners alike. Officially, South Franklin Road extends from Forrest Drive to West Pine Street, with North Franklin Road stretching from West Pine Street to Fancy Gap Road.
Jarrell believes that most longtime residents of the Franklin vicinity will not be deterred by the error and will be able to find the voting spot OK. Faith Baptist Church is a large, hard-to-miss facility located virtually next door to the old balloting site at Franklin Elementary.
However, one voter who received a letter, Denise Karfit of Wagoner Drive, said she worries about political and other newcomers in the area and elderly persons possibly being confused by the directions.
“I'm just concerned,” Karfit said. “It concerns me because there has been so many new people who have registered” to vote.
The Mount Airy No. 8 precinct has 1,892 registered voters, according to Board of Elections statistics.
Officials recently altered the voting locations for that and five other precincts, with the change effective immediately. The reasons behind the switch included non-compliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), parking availability and safety considerations at the former sites.
Jarrell has said that Franklin Elementary School was problematic because it allowed the public to have access to unauthorized parts of the campus, which posed possible risks to students.
Mount Airy No. 8 voters now will cast ballots in the gymnasium that is located behind Faith Baptist Church.
“We feel that the move will better facilitate safety on school grounds and will provide better access and parking for voters,” states the letter from the Board of Elections.
Staff Reporter
DOBSON - The switch of a county voting site from its longtime location at Franklin Elementary School to a nearby church has occurred without a hitch, except for one small glitch.
A letter mailed last week to affected voters in the Mount Airy No. 8 precinct informs them that they can access the new polling place at Faith Baptist Church by turning onto Golden Pond Trail from North Franklin Road.
The only problem is, Golden Pond Trail connects with “South” Franklin Road - not “North.”
“We're sorry that happened,” Susan Jarrell, the director of the Surry County Board of Elections, said Friday of the mistake.
She added that officials are not intending to issue a new letter with corrected directions. But Jarrell stressed to voters who might not be that familiar with the area that they do need to make sure they're on “South” Franklin to reach the polls when the May 6 primary is held.
The geographical layout of the lengthy Franklin Road often is confusing to both locals and out-of-towners alike. Officially, South Franklin Road extends from Forrest Drive to West Pine Street, with North Franklin Road stretching from West Pine Street to Fancy Gap Road.
Jarrell believes that most longtime residents of the Franklin vicinity will not be deterred by the error and will be able to find the voting spot OK. Faith Baptist Church is a large, hard-to-miss facility located virtually next door to the old balloting site at Franklin Elementary.
However, one voter who received a letter, Denise Karfit of Wagoner Drive, said she worries about political and other newcomers in the area and elderly persons possibly being confused by the directions.
“I'm just concerned,” Karfit said. “It concerns me because there has been so many new people who have registered” to vote.
The Mount Airy No. 8 precinct has 1,892 registered voters, according to Board of Elections statistics.
Officials recently altered the voting locations for that and five other precincts, with the change effective immediately. The reasons behind the switch included non-compliance with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), parking availability and safety considerations at the former sites.
Jarrell has said that Franklin Elementary School was problematic because it allowed the public to have access to unauthorized parts of the campus, which posed possible risks to students.
Mount Airy No. 8 voters now will cast ballots in the gymnasium that is located behind Faith Baptist Church.
“We feel that the move will better facilitate safety on school grounds and will provide better access and parking for voters,” states the letter from the Board of Elections.
 |
 |
|
| Service until the end | Speaker promotes value of humor at Chamber event |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of mtairynews.com.
