MILTON, Ga. — One by one, Milton councilmembers who had been against a third polling location in District 3 voiced a change in perspective July 24 — leading to a unanimous decision to add a voting site in the area.
The item wasn’t listed on the public’s City Council agenda Monday night. City Attorney Ken Jarrard said the item was added because of the “time exigency” associated with adding another polling location.
City Councilman Jan Jacobus, who was the first to switch positions, said he had voted for two polling locations “basically on cost.”
“I mean, if I didn’t hear any comments, and it wasn’t of interest to people, I’d let it go,” Jacobus said. “But I’ve had too many people personally contact me on this issue where I haven’t heard from them at all on any other topic. Every now and then, you just got to belly up to the bar and just do what’s right. In this case, I think having the third [polling location] is the right thing to do.”
Councilmembers Rick Mohrig and Paul Moore, who were both on the Milton Municipal Election Feasibility Committee, followed suit with the same sentiment.
Mohrig also said the council shifted away from the Public Safety Complex to another public facility because of the concerns with accommodation. But Milton City Manager Steve Krokoff confirmed the building would accommodate his original projections for Election Day voter turnout.
Because the change in polling locations must be advertised at least two weeks in advance of final action, Milton Communications Director Greg Botelho said the official vote on a third location could be held as early as the Aug. 21 City Council meeting.
Consultant report
Councilmembers accounted for the public outcry they’ve received. But their decision also comes in the wake of a recent report written by Milton election consultant Vernetta…
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