County officials have been invited to a public hearing next Wednesday, Feb. 17, to discuss a change in the voting place for Marion Township residents.
Because of the consolidation of some voting precincts, Marion Township residents living in Eagleville were placed in the voting precinct at Ridgeway, nine miles away.
George Christian, an Eagleville resident who has been outspoken in his criticism of the plan, said County Clerk Jackie Deskins and county commissioners have been invited to the public forum.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. next Wednesday at the Eagleville City Hall.
Three townshipsâColfax, Union and Marionâintersect in Eagleville. Residents living in Marion Township, located in the eastern half of Eagleville, will now cast their ballots down the road at the Ridgeway Baptist Church.
Christian and other Marion voters had previously driven across town to vote at the Eagleville City Hall. Christian said some voters living within the length of a football field from the City Hall will now have to make an 18-mile round trip to Ridgeway.
The county recently eliminated three voting places to reduce the costs of elections. Washington Center, Blythedale and Mt. Moriah were consolidated into neighboring precincts.
The new voting boundaries will go into effect with the Presidential Preference Primary election on Tuesday, March 15.