Voter rights groups say Macon polling change could suppress minorities

Various civil rights groups are saying the decision to move a Macon-Bibb County polling precinct to a Sheriff’s Office building could alienate minority voters.

On Wednesday, representatives from the Georgia NAACP and Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda were among the groups that spoke out against what they say is the suppression of voters of color in Macon-Bibb. The controversy stems from a recent decision by the Board of Elections to temporarily move a voting precinct in a majority black Macon neighborhood from Memorial Gym to a nearby sheriff’s building.

Moving the precinct may deter some minorities from voting, said Francys Johnson, state president of the Georgia NAACP.

There’s a petition with 400 signatures demanding the precinct be moved, he said.

“I call upon the Board of Elections to listen to (residents’) concerns and relocate this particular polling place to a place that is convenient to this community ... and not a place that is marred by distrust like the police (building),” Johnson said during a news conference outside the Board of Elections office at 2445 Pio Nono Ave.

Earlier this year, the elections board approved the sheriff’s building, near the corner of Second Street and Houston Avenue, as a temporary polling place while construction is ongoing at Memorial Gym. Election officials said they preferred that location over Ingram-Pye Elementary School because it’s closer to Memorial Gym, the original polling place. The precinct has 1,411 registered voters.

State law requires that voters be notified of a change in a polling place at least 60 days prior to an election. There are several election dates in 2016, including May 24 when various local, state and federal races are on the ballot. The next potential elections would be July 26 if runoffs are needed.

Elections board member Ronnie Miley said there was never any intent to scare any voters away by the change.

“Anytime citizens have concerns, I find it’s our duty to look into it,” Miley said.

One concern now is that if another change is made, it could lead to more confusion among voters.

“As long as we have fought for the right to vote, I hope this doesn’t deter people,” Miley said.

Johnson said the attempt to stifle voters in Macon also was evident when there was discussion last year about cutting the number of precincts.

The Board of Elections changed the number of precincts from 40 to 33 in a cost-saving measure.

Johnson, of the state NAACP, said his group and other agencies could take legal recourse if the polling site is not moved from the Sheriff’s Office building. Among the other groups involved in the efforts are the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the New Georgia Project and the Advancement Project.

“This is a red, white and blue issue,” Johnson said. “Voting is sacred in a democracy.”

Helen Butler, with the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, said voter suppression is a problem that extends well beyond Macon-Bibb.

“We will not allow any deterrent, no matter what city, no matter what county, no matter what state,” she said.

Sheriff David Davis said he understands the concerns of some voters.

“I certainly don’t want to be involved in anything that would make people feel uncomfortable voting,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

Davis said he has told his deputies not to bother anyone who comes to vote at the location. Voting is scheduled to take place in a meeting room that’s accessible from the outside so there would be no need for interaction with deputies.

“One of the things we have certainly tried to foster here in Bibb is a very positive law enforcement community relationship,” Davis said.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Voter rights groups say Macon polling change could suppress minorities."