Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
Item Status: New
From: Roger H. Rendleman, County Administrator; Anu Gary, Administrative Services Manager; Harry D’Olive, Judge of Probate; and Tammy Chance, Elections Coordinator
Submitted by: Anu Gary, Administrative Services Manager
______________________________________________________________________
ITEM TITLE
Title
Voting Administration - Various Changes to Baldwin County Voting Precincts
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution #2024-020 which amends Resolution #2022-055, to provide for certain changes affecting voting in Baldwin County, Alabama, in conformance with applicable Alabama law, specifically to accomplish the following:
1) Division of Existing Voting Precincts to Create an Additional, New Voting Precinct and Designation of Voting Location for the Newly Created Voting Precinct
a) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 7 (Spanish Fort, Malbis), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 53 (Daphne, Malbis South) and designating Spanish Trail Baptist Church, located at 10999 U.S. Highway 90, Daphne, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 53.
[Current Precinct No. 7 will be split along Interstate 10 with the portion south of I-10 being designated as a new Precinct No. 53 and the area north of I-10 remaining as Precinct No. 7.]
b) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 31 (Summerdale), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 54 (Summerdale East) and designating The Vine Ministries, located at 19451 Greenwood Church Road, Summerdale, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 54.
[Current Precinct No. 31 will be split along Baldwin Beach Express with the portion east of BBE being designated as a new Precinct No. 54 and the area west of BBE remaining as Precinct No. 31.]
c) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 39 (Gulf Shores), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 55 (Fort Morgan East) and designating St. Andrew by the Sea, located at 17263 Fort Morgan Road, Gulf Shores, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 55.
[Current Precinct No. 39 will be split by Highway 59 with the portion west of Highway 59 being designated as a new Precinct No. 55 and the area east of Highway 59 remaining as Precinct No. 39.]
d) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 46 (Spanish Fort), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 56 (TimberCreek) and designating TimberCreek Community Center, located at 30170 Leyland Lane, Spanish Fort, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 56.
[Current Precinct No. 46 will be split by TimberCreek Subdivision boundaries with the portion inside the subdivision boundaries being designated as a new Precinct No. 56 and the area outside the subdivision boundaries remaining as Precinct No. 39.]
e) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 36 (Magnolia Springs), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 57 (Magnolia Springs North) and designating Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Foley Church, located at 18464 Underwood Road, Foley Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 57.
[Current Precinct No. 36 will be split by Underwood Road and Highway 98 with the north portion being designated as a new Precinct No. 57 and the south portion remaining as Precinct No. 36.]
f) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precincts No. 20, 23, and 43 (Daphne, Belforest), said divisions creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 58 (Daphne, Belforest South) and designating the Church of His Presence, located at 24142 State Highway 181, Daphne, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 58.
[Current Precincts No. 20, 23, and 43 will be split around Highway 181, Belforest area, with the south portion of Belforest (including Bellaton, Dunmore, and Jubilee Subdivisions) being designated as a new Precinct No. 58.]
g) Authorize the division of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 9 (Loxley), said division creating a new Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 59 (Ellisville) and designating Ellisville Community Center, located at 14090 County Road 66, Loxley, Alabama, as the polling place for the new Voting Precinct No. 59.
[Current Precinct No. 9 will be split with the west portion being designated as a new Precinct No. 59 and the east portion remaining as Precinct No. 9.]
2) Realignment of Voting Precinct Boundaries
a) Authorize the realignment of the boundaries of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 6 (Spanish Fort, Bromley) and Voting Precinct No. 45 (Spanish Fort North), said realignment taking into Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 6 certain limited areas of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 45.
b) Authorize the realignment of the boundaries of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 10 (Point Clear) and Voting Precinct No. 50 (Fairhope South), said realignment taking into Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 10 certain limited areas of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 50.
c) Authorize the realignment of the boundaries of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 36 (Magnolia Springs) and Voting Precinct No. 47 (Foley North), said realignment taking into Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 36 certain limited areas of Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 47.
3) Relocation of Voting Places
a) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 1 (Little River) from the Little River Volunteer Fire Department to the Little River SAIL Center, located at 70171 Ralph Gantt Road, Little River, Alabama.
b) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 4 (Crossroads) from the Durant Chapel Baptist Church to the Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, located at 36625 Highway 225, Bay Minette, Alabama.
c) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 6 (Spanish Fort, Bromley) from the Bromley Substation of Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department to the East Pointe Baptist Church, located at 34742 State Highway 225, Spanish Fort, Alabama.
d) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 7 (Spanish Fort, East) from the New Life Assembly of God Church to the Providence United Methodist Church, located at 32200 Jimmy Faulkner Drive, Spanish Fort, Alabama.
e) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 10 (Point Clear) from the St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church to the Family Ministries Center, located at 9955 County Road 34, Fairhope, Alabama.
f) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 36 (Magnolia Springs) from the Wesleyan Church to the Redemption Apostolic Church, located at 18109 US Highway 98, Foley, Alabama.
g) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 37 (Bon Secour) from the Morgan’s Chapel United Methodist Church to the Fishermen Baptist Church, located at 17117 River Road, Bon Secour, Alabama.
h) Relocate the Voting Place for Baldwin County Voting Precinct No. 41 (Orange Beach) from the Orange Beach Community Center to the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf, located at 4671 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach, Alabama.
4) Notification Of Commission Action
a) Authorize the Chairman to execute correspondence to county election officials and state agencies (Probate Judge, Sheriff, Absentee Election Manager, Board of Registrars, Legislative Reapportionment Office) and all affected polling places informing them of the changes affecting voting in Baldwin County, Alabama, and requesting for the Board of Registrars to issue new voting cards to the voters affected by the changes.
End
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Due to the tremendous growth in Baldwin County and the effect it has had on many of the County’s existing polling locations, staff recommends the approval of above listed changes ahead of the 2024 state-wide elections to create seven new voting precincts, relocate eight polling places in existing precincts, and modify boundary lines in six precincts to accommodate relocations. With these changes there will be a total of 15 new polling locations throughout Baldwin County.
In reviewing potential new polling places, factors considered are the location and size of the polling place, parking on site, access, roads and traffic in the area, and the number of registered voters in the precinct. Staff also reviews any reported issues or voter comments from recent elections. The County adheres to the regulations and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Disability Rights Section. Each proposed new polling location has been inspected and determined to be suitable for voting purposes.
GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Baldwin County Voting Precincts and Voting Places are used for federal, state, county, and district elections in accordance with Alabama law, excepting municipal elections, and are designated by the Baldwin County Commission pursuant to applicable Alabama law as found at Section 17-6-1 through Section 17-6-9 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
Pursuant to §17-6-6 (a) Code of Alabama 1975, as amended, the County Commission of Baldwin County, Alabama, retains the sole authority to change the configuration, boundaries, or designation of the Voting Precincts in Baldwin County, Alabama, and, furthermore, any change so determined shall be adopted by resolution. Pursuant to §17-6-4 Code of Alabama 1975, as amended, the County Commission of Baldwin County, Alabama, is, authorized to designate and select a Voting Place for each Voting Precinct
Section 17-6-4 (d) of the Code of Alabama 1975 prohibits voting places for voting precincts to be changed within three (3) months of an election.
Previous Commission action/date: February 1, 2022, BCC Regular Meeting - The Commission adopted Resolution #2022-055 which updated descriptions of standard Census units used for physical boundaries of voting precincts (based on U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 census data) and approved various other changes to Baldwin County voting precincts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? Public notice required, BOR will send out voter notification cards to affected voters, County staff will provide a press release and information on social media outlets.
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: TIME SENSITIVE - Hand deliveries must be done the day of the meeting.
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration - Correspondence and Public Notices
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed):
1) (Hand Delivery and Email) Letter with copy of resolution with exhibits:
Judge of Probate Harry D’Olive, Baldwin County Probate Office
cc: Tammy Chance, Elections Coordinator tchance@baldwincountyal.gov
2) (Hand Delivery and Email) Letter with copy of resolution with exhibits:
William Godbey, Chairman, Baldwin County Board of Registrars
c/o Max Huffman, Office Manager
cc: Max Huffman max.huffman@baldwincountyal.gov
3) (Email) Letter with copy of resolution with exhibits:
Brenda Ganey, Circuit Clerk, Absentee Election Manager
brenda.ganey@alacourt.gov
cc: Violetta Smith, Absentee Election Manager (for March 2024 Primary, April 2024 Run-off Elections only) vsmith@baldwincountyal.gov
4) (Email) Letter with copy of resolution with exhibits:
Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack
hmack@baldwincountyal.gov
5) (Certified Mail and Email) Letter with original certification and copy of resolution with exhibits:
Legislative Reapportionment Office
ATTN: Donna Overton Loftin
Supervisor, Reapportionment Office
Alabama State House
11 South Union Street, Suite 317
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
donna.overton@alsenate.gov
cc: Clay Helms, Chief of Staff, Alabama Secretary of State clay.helms@sos.alabama.gov
Jeff Elrod, Director of Elections, Alabama Secretary of State
jeff.elrod@sos.alabama.gov
6) (Mail and Email) Letter incl. corresponding Voting Precinct Map:
Newly Designated Polling Places:
Voting Precinct 1
Little River SAIL Center
ATTN: Sue Ferguson, SAIL Center Manager
70171 Ralph Gantt Road
Little River, Alabama 36550
email:
virginia.ferguson@baldwincountyal.gov
cc: Kelly Childress, COA Coordinator
kchildress@baldwincountyal.gov
Voting Precinct 4
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department
ATTN: John Chip Mays, Fire Chief
41961 State Highway 225
Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
email:
crvfd7801@bellsouth.net
Voting Precinct 6
East Pointe Baptist Church
ATTN: Pastor Tim Mims, Senior Pastor
34742 State Highway 225
Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
email:
info@eastpointebaptistchurch.com
Voting Precinct 7
Providence United Methodist Church
ATTN: Reverend Jack Allen
32200 Jimmy Faulkner Drive
Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
email:
pumc.spanishfort@gmail.com
Voting Precinct 10
Family Ministries Center
ATTN: Pastor Ann Rowan
9955 County Road 34
Fairhope, Alabama 36532
email:
annrowan58@gmail.com
cc: Admin. Pastor Janice Hudson
pastorwmr@yahoo.com
Voting Precinct 36
Redemption Apostolic Church
ATTN: Andrea Overstreet
18109 U.S. Highway 98
Foley, Alabama 36535
email:
redemptionchurchfoley@gmail.com
Voting Precinct 37
Fishermen Baptist Church
ATTN: Pastor Shawn Major
Post Office Box 90
Bon Secour, Alabama 36511
email:
office@fishermenbc.org
Voting Precinct 41
City of Orange Beach
ATTN: Angela Bateman, Event Operations Director
Post Office Box 458
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
email:
abateman@orangebeachal.gov
cc: Kristen Wong, Event Specialist
kwong@orangebeachal.gov
Voting Precinct 53
Spanish Trail Baptist Church
ATTN: Harold Thomas, Pastor
10999 U.S. Highway 90
Daphne, Alabama 36526
email:
haroldowenthomas@gmail.com
cc: Joel Phillips, Treasurer
mr.p@quickstudylabs.com
Voting Precinct 54
The Vine Ministries
ATTN: Teri Baggett, Pastor
Post Office Box 424
Summerdale, Alabama 36580
email:
t.baggett1@icloud.com
Voting Precinct 55
St. Andrew by the Sea Church
ATTN: Reverend Larry Wood
Post Office Box 2385
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
email:
larry@standrewbythesea.org
Voting Precinct 56
TimberCreek Property Owner’s Association
ATTN: Candice Smith
9082 Timbercreek Boulevard
Daphne, Alabama 36526
email:
candice@timbercreekpoa.com
management@timbercreekpoa.com
Voting Precinct 57
Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Foley Church
ATTN: Pastor Joe Aldrete
18464 Underwood Road
Foley, Alabama 36535
email:
jaldrete@ccfoley.com
Voting Precinct 58
Church of His Presence
ATTN: Cathy Johns
24142 State Highway 181
Daphne, Alabama 36526
email:
cathy@chp.church
Voting Precinct 59
Ellisville Community Center
ATTN: Reverend Wayne Ellis
Post Office Box 1077
Loxley, Alabama 36551
email:
wme6051@outlook.com
cmbc95@gmail.com
7) (Mail and Email) Thank you letter:
Outgoing polling places:
Voting Precinct 1
Little River Volunteer Fire Department
ATTN: Chief Ron Levins
Post Office Box 10
Little River, Alabama 36550
email:
ronlevins1022@gmail.com
lrvfd97@gmail.com
Voting Precinct 4
Durant Chapel Baptist Church
ATTN: Lisa Lizotte
9551 State Highway 138
Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
email:
dcbc4@aol.com
office@durantchapel.com
Voting Precinct 6
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department (Bromley Substation)
ATTN: Chief Chip Mays
41961 State Highway 225
Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
email:
crvfd7801@bellsouth.net
Voting Precinct 7
New Life Assembly of God Church
ATTN: Ferron Smith
10424 Old Highway 31
Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
email:
ferron@newlifeagspanishfort.com
ferronsmith@hotmail.com
Voting Precinct 10
St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church
ATTN: Father Gary Blaylock
Post Office Box 916
Point Clear, Alabama 36564
email:
stfrancisatthepoint@gmail.com
Voting Precinct 36
Wesleyan Church
ATTN: Doug Walls
Post Office Box 257
Magnolia Springs, Alabama 36555
email:
mswcchurchoffice@gmail.com
Voting Precinct 37
Morgan's Chapel United Methodist Church
ATTN: Bob Haynes
Post Office Box 88
Bon Secour, Alabama 36511
email:
info@morganschapel.org
Voting Precinct 41
City of Orange Beach
ATTN: Angela Bateman, Event Operations Director
Post Office Box 458
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
email:
reberly@orangebeachal.gov
ADMINISTRATION COORDINATION AFTER BCC APPROVAL:
●Post Public Notice to county website/subscription list
●Post Public Notice at county facilities (do not remove until after March 5, 2024, Primary Election)
●Update Voting Locations Physical Address List on county website (Public)
●Update Voting webpage - Notice for Voting Changes
●Upload Revised Voting Precincts Map (from KCS) on Probate website (CIS)
●Update Voting Locations Contact List (Office Use Only)
●Update Mailing and Physical Address Labels for Polling Places
●Add/remove appropriate precincts from list of locations to be cleaned
●Add any specific requirements for polling places on check list
Additional instructions/notes: N/A