Election locations are poised to change for many area voters in the coming weeks.

  The Henry County Board of Elections recently gave notice to voters regarding proposed polling place changes, to be considered at their February 6 meeting at 1 p.m. The changes, if approved, would be effective for all elections beginning in March.

  Henry County Elections and Registration Director, Tina Lunsford, cited safety as a main concern that led to the proposed changes. She said an increase in the number of school shootings across the country in recent years figured into the decision.

  “Children’s safety is paramount,” said Lunsford. “Almost every county is trying to come out of the schools. With the school shootings, you have to think about the students’ safety.”

  Currently, primary elections and runoffs take place when schools are in session. said remodeling and construction projects at local schools further highlight the need to move elections to other venues.

  “Some schools were having us vote in the breezeway, some in the media center, and some in the gym,” she said.

Lunsford said a lack of parking at local schools, particularly for voters with disabilities, creates confusion during election periods. Such concerns, she said, are exacerbated if a school has to go on lockdown during that time.

  Local elections officials announced the following proposed changes to polling locations:

•   Polling for the Sandy Ridge precinct will relocate from Rock Springs Elementary School to New Hope United Methodist Church, 1960 New Hope Road in Locust Grove.
•   Polling for the Westside precinct will relocate from Henry County Middle School to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 397 Racetrack Road in McDonough.
•   Polling for the Lowes precinct will relocate from Luella Middle School to Harvest Point United Methodist Church, 911 Simpson Mill Road in Locust Grove.
•   Polling for the Mt. Carmel precinct will relocate from Mt. Carmel Elementary School to Liberty Hill Baptist Church, at 2957 Mt. Carmel Road in Hampton.
•   Polling for the Wesley Lakes precinct will relocate from Wesley Lakes Elementary School to Griffin First Assembly Church-McDonough, 45 Mt. Carmel Road in McDonough.
•   Polling for the McDonough precinct will relocate from Henry County High School to McDonough Presbyterian Church, 427 McGarity Road in McDonough.
•   Polling for the East Lake precinct will relocate from East Lake Elementary School to Salem Baptist Church, 1724 Ga. Highway 155 N., in McDonough.
•   Polling for the Hickory Flat precinct will relocate from Hickory Flat Elementary School to Tabernacle of Praise Church International, 1640 Ga. Highway 42 N., in McDonough.
•   Polling for the Stockbridge East-West precinct will relocate from Smith Barnes Elementary School to Stockbridge United Methodist Church, 4863 N. Henry Blvd., in Stockbridge.
•   Polling for the Stagecoach precinct will relocate from Stockbridge Middle School to First Baptist Church, 4566 N. Henry Blvd., in Stockbridge.
•   Polling for the Pleasant Grove precinct will relocate from Pleasant Grove Elementary School to Stockbridge Community Church, 4401 Ga. Highway 155 N., in Stockbridge.
•   Polling for the Shakerag precinct will relocate from Fairview Elementary School to Bethel United Methodist Church, 245 Fairview Road in Stockbridge.
•   Polling for the Ellenwood precinct will relocate from Austin Road Middle School to Ellenwood Oaks Community Church, 1234 Panola Road in Ellenwood.
•   Polling for the Unity Grove precinct will relocate from Unity Grove Elementary School to Locust Grove Event Center, 280 Mose Brown Drive in Locust Grove.
•   Polling for the Pate’s Creek precinct will relocate from Pate’s Creek Elementary School to Jodeco Road United Methodist Church, 1500 Jodeco Road in Stockbridge.
•   Polling for the Flippen precinct will relocate from Flippen Elementary School to Flippen United Methodist Church, 3707 Jodeco Road in McDonough.

  “Voters will be sent new precinct cards, with location and address,” added Lunsford. “We are going to start making those changes in February. Voters can go to the myvoter page on the Secretary of State’s website or the county website, and see if their location has changed.”   Comments on the proposed changes may be sent by mail to the Henry County Board of Elections and Registration, 40 Atlanta St., McDonough, GA 30253 or by e-mailing tlunsford@co.henry.ga.us.