A Facebook post warning of drastic changes to the local voting schedule is false, according to the Board of Elections.
The post, which has been widely shared, claims that the Elections Board will meet June 8 to eliminate precincts and only allow one day of early voting. The post encourages citizens to “Show up and voice your opinion and concerns.”
“That’s not correct,” said Elections Supervisor Ashley Collins.
At the June 8 meeting, the board is scheduled to discuss shutting down some early voter sites that have consistently poor turnout. The move is part of county cost-cutting efforts.
“Nothing is set in stone yet,” Collins said. “The board will vote on early voting plans and the number of early voting locations at the June 8 meeting.
“We will still have 13 or 14 early voting days unless something changes with the state,” she continued, ”and I don’t see that happening.”
Columbus was one of a number of counties whose plans were finally decided by the State Board of Elections for the primary. State law requires a unanimous decision on early voting plans, and a sticking point for Columbus and others for the primary was the issue of Sunday voting. Sunday voting was held here in previous elections, but was rejected for the 2026 Primaries.
Chairman Jillian McPherson, a Republican sided with Democrat members of the Columbus elections board, voting for four hours of Sunday polls. The other Republicans voted against the plan, thus sending to decision to the state.
The state board later approved the plan offered by Columbus Republicans. A dozen counties with growing Republican registrations also saw their split decisions overruled against Sunday voting.
Democrats have dominated Sunday voting since its introduction in 2018. Black churches frequently host programs where congregations go to the polls after Sunday morning services.
Members of local boards of election from across the state cited problems with inconsistent turnout, lack of workers willing to man Sunday polls, and personal religious objections. Some counties reported overwhelming voter turnout on Sundays, while others had far fewer than Saturday or weekday voters.
In 2024, polls were open here for one Sunday (Oct. 20) during the early voting period, and drew just over 730 voters, making for one of the least busy days at the polls here during that election.
The June 8 meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Board of Elections office, and is open to the public.
