A number of Walker County’s voting precincts have been consolidated, reducing the total of precincts from 18 to 11.

The reduction was considered for several reasons.

“In the November 2008 election 53 percent of Walker County citizens voted early prior to the election,” said Ebeth Edwards, chairman of the county Board of Elections and Registration.

The trend of early voting has increased over the last few elections, according to Barbara Berry, elections super-visor for Walker County.

The economic downturn has also led election officials to find ways to lessen the burden to Walker County and its taxpayers.

Each precinct is required by law to have one manager and two assistants, at a total cost of $400, since all poll workers are paid. Even clerks make $8 an hour for the 12 hours they can work on election days.

The reduction of expenses for seven precincts will amount to several $1,000 per election, savings in pre-election training, and voting machines could further reduce the costs

In 2010 there are six planned election dates, in addition to the recently announced May 11 special election to re-place Nathan Deal’s congressional seat for the next seven months, which will cost Walker County $10,000-15,000, all from county funds.

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Early voting for the special election has not been determined and will be announced.

Sites for the special election will also be finalized at that same meeting.

The change has already been approved by the Department of Justice and the apportionment committee.

Any objection to the consolidation should be mailed to Barbara Berry’s office.

All registered Walker County voters will be mailed a new precinct card with updated information on where to go.

Walker County’s consolidated precincts are:

· Wilson precinct merged with Cane Creek precinct, which will now be called Center Post precinct, at a new lo-cation of the Center Post Community Center.

· Cedar Grove precinct merged with Kensington precinct with the name remaining as Kensington precinct, lo-cated at the Kensington Fire Hall.

· Pond Springs precinct merged with Chickamauga precinct and will remain at the Chickamauga Civic Center.

· Wallaceville precinct merged with Chattanooga Valley and will remain at the Chattanooga Valley Church of the Nazarene.

· Chestnut Flat precinct merged with Peavine precinct and will now be called the Rock Spring precinct to re-main at the Rock Spring Athletic Association building.

· Daugherty precinct merged with Mountain precinct and will remain at the Mount Pleasant Community Center.

· West Armuchee Precinct merged with East Armuchee precinct and will now be called the Armuchee Valley precinct and will remain at the East Armuchee Fire Station.