§ 26-3-118. Changes in precincts - Notice - Transfer of affected voters' registration.

The county election board in each county may change the boundaries of, abolish or consolidate any precinct, subject to the limitations provided by law, by observing the following procedure:

1.  No precinct shall be created, divided, abolished or consolidated, or any boundary otherwise changed between January 1 of any year which last digit is nine and December 31 of any year which last digit is zero.

2.  After January 1, 1992, a county election board shall only change a precinct by dividing or consolidating a precinct into two or more precincts in a manner which will conform to designated census geography except when it becomes necessary for reasons of a lack of an adequate available polling place, or when road conditions hinder or impede a voter's ability to vote, or to accomplish reapportionment, it becomes necessary to consolidate a part of a precinct with adjacent precincts, a part or parts may be consolidated.

3.  Changes may not become effective until notices of such changes have been posted and mailed as provided in this paragraph for thirty (30) days.  One notice shall be posted at the door of the polling place for the affected precinct, one notice posted at the door of the county courthouse and one notice shall be mailed to the State Election Board.

4.  The registration of each registered voter affected by such change shall be transferred as provided by law by the secretary of the county election board without any request from said voter.

5.  Each registered voter whose registration is transferred as hereinbefore provided shall be notified of such transfer in writing by the secretary of the county election board.  At the same time, the voter shall be issued a new voter identification card and shall be instructed to destroy his former voter identification card.

Laws 1974, c. 153, § 3-118, operative Jan. 1, 1975.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 213, § 4, emerg. eff. May 18, 1990.