Putnam County Commission approves polling‑place consolidations to improve accessibility

Putnam County Commission voted July 14 to adopt an order changing polling‑place locations for a set of precincts and to dissolve alphabetic precinct breaks so multiple ballot styles can operate at the same polling site, County Clerk Brian Wood told commissioners.

“This does not change our maps in any way, so the maps stay the same,” Brian Wood said, explaining that precinct numbers remain fixed while the physical polling location where voters cast ballots would change in some cases. Wood said the change will allow multiple ballot styles to use the same machines and reduce voter confusion caused by A/B line distinctions at larger sites.

Wood said three smaller or inaccessible sites will be moved to nearby existing precinct locations because of building condition and poor access, citing REO in Nitro (bathroom and sewer problems), Camp Appalachia (poor road access and parking), and other sites with limited accessibility for disabled voters. He told the commission consolidation will help poll workers and rovers troubleshoot equipment more efficiently.

Commissioners made a motion to adopt the order; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote.

The clerk emphasized that precinct numbers and the underlying district maps will not change. The approved order directs staff to publish the polling‑place updates so affected voters know where to go on election day.