New polling locations and district divisions for local elections were approved after a public hearing with no comment on Tuesday, December 28.
The Greenbrier County Commission approved the changes after a public hearing. County Clerk Robin Loudermilk read the order outloud for the commission, explaining why these changes were happening.
“These changes are being made due to polling place availability and a shift in population in accordance with the most recent census,” read Loudermilk. “This will be a permanent change affected with the entry of this order [on] this 20th day of December, 2021.”
After the 2020 Census, the West Virginia Legislature redistricted the entire state to match the new population numbers. One consequence was the loss of one federal representative due to population loss. Another was the subdivision of Greenbrier County down Route 219, through the center of Lewisburg, for representation in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Locally, here are the new precincts:
– Magisterial District One, Eastern District, shall include the following precinct numbers – 1, 8, 14, 24, 34, 72, 73, 74, and 75.
– Magisterial District Two, Central District, shall include the following precinct numbers – 21, 22, 23, 31, 41, 42, 43, 45, and 46.
– Magisterial District Three, Western District, shall include the following precinct numbers – 7, 29, 47, 51, 52, 56, 63, 64, 65, and 79.
There will also be new polling places in some districts:
– Precinct 22 be established at Ronceverte Baptist Church.
– Precinct 50, previously voting at Little Sewell Baptist Church, shall be moved to Precinct 65 at Rainelle City Hall.
– For Precinct 78, previously voting at Clintonville community building, the polling location will be moved to Precinct 79 at the Williamsburg Community Building.
“Greenbrier County shall consist of three executive committee districts, which shall elect two males and two females from each district in accordance with West Virginia Code 319,” Loudermilk read from the order. “Executive Committee Districts shall be the same as the magisterial districts, composed of the same precincts. The County Clerk shall divide any precinct that does not comply with the provisions of West Virginia Code 315 regarding the number of voters per precinct.”
Commissioner Tammy Shiflett-Tincher asked if “these changes do not currently affect any commissioners or Board of Education members that are currently holding office?”
“Yes, that’s correct,” Loudermilk responded. “It doesn’t affect any of those.”
Commissioner Mike McClung noted “this was no easy task,” and has previously thanked Loudermilk and her office for taking it on.
Before the commission meeting began, a public hearing was held in order to get input from the public on the new maps. However, no one was present to speak at the hearing.
During the meeting, McClung moved to approve the new maps, and the commission ratified them.
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