Meridian voters used to casting their ballots at the old Lauderdale County Courthouse on Constitution Avenue will have an opportunity to weigh in on a plan to relocate the voting precinct at a public hearing Monday.

 

County Election Commissioners earlier this year announced the voting precinct will relocate to 15th Avenue Baptist Church as the old courthouse closes. In January, Commissioner Brenda Harris, who represents the precinct as part of District 2, said the church was chosen as an alternative as it has plenty of parking areas and handicap accessibility for voters who need it.

 

The Meridian City Council voted in February to relocate the city voting precinct from the old courthouse to 15th Avenue Baptist Church as well at the request of the Election Commission. Elections officials said doubling up on city and county precincts wherever possible reduces instances of residents having to vote in different locations for city, county, state and federal elections.

 

Residents impacted by the move will have a chance to share their thoughts with election commissioners at the hearing, set for 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Lauderdale County Government Center.

 

The precinct move comes as commissioners prepare for back-to-back elections less than two weeks away.

 

Residents of state House District 82 will vote in a special election on March 25 to choose who will take the place of longtime Rep. Charles Young Jr., who died in December. On the ballot are County Supervisor Joe Norwood Sr., Meridian Civil Service Commissioner Greg Elliott and local attorney Joseph Denson.

 

In a separate election, Meridian residents will vote for mayoral and City Council candidates in an upcoming municipal primary election set for April 1. Winners of party primaries for Mayor and each of the five seats on the City Council will advance to the general election in June.

 

In both elections, a runoff date of April 22 has been set if needed. In races with three or more people running, candidates must receive at least 50% of the vote plus one vote to avoid heading to a runoff.