Virus forces DeKalb to relocate 19 election day voting precincts

Yolanda Norman of DeKalb County uses te new voting machines at Voter Registration and Elections Office in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2020. Miguel Martinez for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Yolanda Norman of DeKalb County uses te new voting machines at Voter Registration and Elections Office in Atlanta on Monday, March 2, 2020. Miguel Martinez for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Some two weeks prior to election day, DeKalb County is changing the location of 19 voting precincts.

The precincts had to be relocated due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said, with some venues like retirement communities and churches opting not to host voting on June 9 due to concerns about the virus’ potential spread.

New locations have been identified for 16 of the affected precincts. But new locations are still being sought for three regular voting sites, all in the Decatur area: First Baptist Church of Decatur, Holy Trinity Parish and Oakhurst Baptist Church.

Relocated precincts, most of which are in the northern part of the county, include those listed below. The new locations were approved Friday by the county elections board.

County officials said affected voters will be notified by mail.

The precinct changes do not affect early voting, which is currently being offered at five locations.

DeKalb County also recently added new drop boxes for absentee ballots.  Boxes are now available near the elections office at 4390 Memorial Drive in Decatur; at Exchange Park, 2771 Columbia Drive in Decatur; and at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road NE in Brookhaven.

  • Voters who normally vote at Ashford Parkside Senior Residence (3522 Blair Circle NE, Atlanta) will now cast ballots at Montgomery Elementary (3995 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta)
  • Voters who normally vote at Coralwood Center (2477 Coralwood Drive, Decatur) will now cast ballots at Briarlake Elementary School (3590 LaVista Road, Decatur)
  • Voters who normally vote at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Dunwoody (including those in both the "Dunwoody 2" and "Tilly Mill" precincts) will now cast ballots at Dunwoody High School (5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody).
  • Voters who normally vote at Holy Cross Catholic Church (3733 Chamblee Tucker Road, Chamblee) will now cast ballots at Evansdale Elementary School (2914 Evans Woods Drive, Doraville)
  • Voters who normally vote at Dunwoody Pines Retirement (4355 Georgetown Square Road, Dunwoody) will now cast ballots at Peachtree Middle School (4664 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody)
  • Voters who normally vote at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (1790 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta) will now cast ballots at Margaret Harris Educational Center (1634 Knob Hill Drive NE, Atlanta)
  • Voters who normally vote at Mary Lin Elementary School (586 Candler Park Drive, Atlanta) will now cast ballots at Neighborhood Church (1561 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta)
  • Voters who normally vote at Ousley United Methodist Church (3261 Panola Road, Lithonia) will now cast ballots at Miller Grove Middle School (2215 Miller Road, Decatur)
  • Voters who normally vote at St. Bede's Episcopal Church (2601 Henderson Mill Road, Atlanta) will now cast ballots at Henderson Mill Elementary School (2408 Henderson Mill Road, Atlanta)
  • Voters who normally vote at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church (1978 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody) will now cast ballots at Dunwoody High School (5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody)
  • Voters who normally vote at  Briarlake Baptist Church (3715 LaVista Road, Decatur) will now cast ballots at Briarlake Elementary School (3590 LaVista Road, Decatur)
  • Voters who normally vote at Grace Church International School (3434 Pleasantdale Road) will now cast ballots at Evansdale Elementary School (2914 Evans Woods Drive, Doraville)
  • Voters who normally vote at Rehoboth Baptist Church (2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker) will not cast ballots at Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church (3142 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker)
  • Voters who normally vote at Brookhaven Christian Church (1850 Skyland Terrace NE, Atlanta) will now cast ballots at John Lewis Elementary (2630 Skyland Drive, Atlanta)
  • Voters who normally vote at Congregation Beth Shalom (5303 Winters Chapel Road, Doraville) will now cast ballots at Kingsley Elementary School (2051 Brendon Drive, Dunwoody)