Douglas County To Add Advance Voting Site For Older Adults

DOUGLASVILLE, GA - The Douglas County Board of Elections has decided to add a sixth advance voting location this year geared toward older adults.

The largest number of voters during advance voting visit the courthouse, but older adults have expressed concerns of how challenging voting at the courthouse is for them, according to county officials. There are often very long lines which can be a problem for older adults.

As a result, the Elections and Registration Department has coordinated with the Woodie Fite Senior Center to provide a secured area for those 55 and older to vote in the Woodie Fite Senior Center located at 8750 Dorris Road, Douglasville, Ga. 30134.

“We are trying to accommodate all our voting citizens but also increase our customer service focusing on Douglas County’s older adult population,” said County Elections Director Milton Kidd.

“Older adults are very active voters in the county and demonstrate their civic duty by being the most in attendance at the commissioners’ work sessions, commission meetings and various other events.”

The move is part of a coordinated effort to prepare for what is anticipated to be a very large voter turnout for the 2020 election cycle, said Rick Martin, spokesman for the county.

The schedule for advance voting is from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. March 9 - March 13, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. May 4 - May 8, and 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Oct. 19 - Oct. 23.

“Too often our older adults have expressed they feel forgotten,” Martin said. “The Board of Commissioners, through Douglas County’s Board of Elections Department, is committed to make sure that will not be the case.”

The County intends to run shuttle van services from the Douglas County Transportation Center and the courthouse to the Woodie Fite Center and other county locations.

Free transportation for voting purposes only will be provided, but must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.

Any residents interested are asked to call 770-920-7213 to schedule a pick up.

The Woodie Fite Senior Center is an adult recreation and educational facility for those over the age of 55, and is a part of Douglas County Senior Services that caters to active adults with specialized activities and fitness to help promote healthy aging.