After meeting with the Marion County Board of Supervisors about space concerns, election commissioners are moving to new offices at the BusinessPlex, the former Columbia Training School.
The offices are located behind the Community Room in the same building with the Columbia Law Enforcement Training Academy at 182 Partnership Way.
Election commissioners first met with the board in July and came again Monday. They said they are in the process of moving in as renovations take place and are just waiting on internet.
“We just need you to declare the facility an extension of the Marion County Courthouse,” District 1 Commissioner Mike Bennett said. “This was recommended by the Secretary of State’s Office because the ballot boxes will be stored there. All of that belongs to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The voting materials will be there during the election. It was their recommendation that we do that.”
Board Attorney Joe Shepard said he would be checking into what would need to be done with the Secretary of State’s Office.
Election commissioners are also concerned about the November election and the potential for a runoff, which could complicate use of one of the precincts, the one housed at the Marion County Justice Court.
“There is a concern with a court session that is scheduled Nov. 27, which is the runoff date,” Bennett said.
Supervisors and election commissioners may look toward a long-term solution, such as moving the precinct in the future. A possible location within the supervisory district would be the Columbia-Marion County Public Library.
During the meeting the Board also voted to advertise for the abandonment of several roads. The first road is Rhymes Road, which is located on 16th Section land in the southern part of the county. The Board will also post notice about intentions to abandon Peak Lane in District 4. No homes or structures will be impacted by the closings.
The Board also approved the election commissioners to attend their annual training and conference in January and approved Justice Court officials to travel for mandated training sessions in September.
The Board of Supervisors continued meetings throughout the week and will next meet in regular session on Aug. 20 at its offices on Courthouse Square.
Pictured Above: A prisoner works Monday on the new offices at the Marion County BusinessPlex for election commissioners. They requested the space, saying there was not enough room at the courthouse for election equipment. | Photo by Mark Rogers
