Richmond County leaders are debating whether to close and consolidate polling locations just months before several commission races and the mayoral election, drawing concerns from residents who packed a standing-room-only meeting Monday. The Richmond County Board of Elections held a special called meeting to discuss precinct consolidation and realignment. Many people found out about the meeting just days or even hours beforehand, but Facebook posts ahead of the session encouraged residents to attend and voice their concerns. State Rep. Lynn Heffner announced her resignation from the Georgia House of Representatives effective immediately. The proposed changes would reduce the county’s 68 precincts to 55 and cut polling locations from 42 to 36. Officials say the adjustments are needed due to facility issues and changing voting patterns, but residents are questioning the timing just four months before elections. Several polling locations have requested to stop hosting elections. St. Mark Methodist asked for voting to be relocated from there at the end of 2025 due to rising insurance premiums. Mann-Mize Memorial Methodist said its aging congregation is no longer able to serve as a poll
