Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton, left, Commission President Zach Abraham, Commissioner Don Nickerson, Administrator Randy Russell and County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo discuss issues at Tuesday’s commission meeting. (Photo by Joselyn King}

WHEELING – Ohio County voters in selected areas will see their voting precincts consolidated for the May 12 primary election.

County commissioners passed a motion Tuesday to consolidate Precinct 12 at the Short Creek United Methodist Church with Precinct 11 at the Betty Zane Community Center following a public hearing. In addition, Precinct 124 at Christ United Methodist Church will be temporarily moved to the St. Michaels Angelus Center.

County Administration Randy Russell explained to commissioners the reasons for the recommendations.

The consolidations of precincts 12 and 11 at the Betty Zane Community Center, meanwhile, became necessary as the Short Creek United Methodist Church is not handicapped accessible, according to Russell.

“Unfortunately, the church does not meet the standards set forth in Title 2 of the Americans With Disability Act, and therefore is not considered to be ADA compliant,” he explained. “The cost of making the church ADA compliant would be substantial.

“We have found no other rooms or buildings within the boundaries of Precinct 12 that would be suitable for a polling location. The closest room or building that could be used is the Betty Zane Community Center, which already serves as a polling location for Precinct 11 and is ADA compliant.”

But Russell added the community is not large enough to house two separate polling locations.

“Voters in Precinct 12 and Precinct vote the same ballot, therefore we feel it would be appropriate to consolidate the two precincts into one using the Betty Zane Community Center as the polling place – and abandoning Precinct 12 all together.”

The total number of voters in the combined district is 1,422 – less than the 1,500 maximum stipulated under West Virginia law, according to Russell.

The precincts are not within one mile of each other as required by code, but as no suitable places are available code allows the commission to hold the elections in an area that is closest to the precinct, he continued.

As for the temporary move of Precinct 124 to the Angelus Center, Russell said the commission was recently notified by the Christ United Methodist Church that they are unable to serve as a polling location for during the upcoming primary election. The Angelus Center already serves as the location for Precinct 127.

Commission President Zach Abraham asked if the move would be permanent.

“It’s temporary,” Russell responded. “But we may revisit that.”

The commissioners are next scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the City-County Building,