The county's director of elections, Anne Phillips, says the new precinct is Whelchel II - a spinoff from Whelchel I - and those voters will cast their ballots at Riverbend Baptist Church. They have been voting at South Bend United Methodist Church will continue to be used for Whelchel I.
Whelchel II is Hall County's 39th precinct. The county is adding at least one or two new precincts every two years as the population continues to grow. Phillips says there are now about 65,000 people eligible to vote in the county, up by about 1,500 since 2002.
Also new on the list of voting places is Springs Community Church on Spout Springs Road. Friendship I voters will vote there Tuesday.
Phillips said it will replace Spout Springs Elementary School. She said things just weren't working out using the school as a polling place because they were having to use the school gym, which is also where the students assemble each afternoon to catch the bus or other transportation home.
In addition to the state flag referendum and the presidential primaries, Hall countians will be voting on an extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST V). Also, in Flowery Branch only, there will be a special city council election.
Local issues and races will be on the ballot elsewhere in northeast Georgia, as well.
There will also be SPLOST referendums in Dawson and White counties and a vote on a 65 million dollar courthouse/detention center/sheriff's office bond issue in Forsyth County.
Banks countians will be asked whether they want to approve a special property tax exemption and to change to a county administrator-form of government.
In Dahlonega, there will special elections for mayor and two city council seats.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/163095