WALTHALL — Precinct changes resulting from new redistricted lines have been approved for Webster County.
The Board of Supervisors approved the changes on Jan. 3 as submitted by Circuit Clerk Sherry Henderson. They will be effective for the August countywide primaries.
“Due to the new (county) redistricted lines, my office is now tasked with new lines that have left voting precincts without a structure,” Henderson wrote. Her request for approval of the precinct changes includes this information:
• Eupora 2: Move this precinct from the DHS Building to Crossway Church to provide better facilities for poll workers and voters.
• Eupora 3: This precinct is now redistricted into Eupora No. 2 so the Eupora No. 3 precinct is without a building. However, the Webster Recreation Association building, formerly known as Eupora Country Club, has agreed to let the county use its facility. It does have plenty of parking and voting space.
• Mathiston 3: “With the newly redistricted lines for Supervisor District 3 stretching well into the south Mathiston city limits, we would like to keep the Mathiston Public Library as a voting precinct for those voters residing on the south side of Hwy. 82. Mathiston 3 precinct additionally will give the county a total of 14 precincts instead of 13 precincts.”
• Mathiston 4: For those voters on the north side of Hwy. 82, no buildings are available to house a precinct. The District 4 barn cannot be used because it is not ADA compliant and it is located in the Big Black precinct. The 911 director stated several large rooms are available in the 911 building (on the former Wood College campus) that could be used.
The new redistricted lines became effective Jan. 1 but were not implemented for Tuesday’s special election in House District 23. Henderson said this was because no changes can be made in the Statewide Election Management System while an election is ongoing. However, qualifying for county and district offices is underway through Feb. 1 and all candidates must be qualified by the new lines, she noted.
