WINTON – The Hertford County Board of Elections has moved the Ahoskie I polling precinct.

The former precinct location was at the Ahoskie Rescue Squad Building at 901 W. First Street.

Those who normally vote at that location are now being to asked to go to Ahoskie Elementary School at 200 N. Talmage Avenue in Ahoskie to cast their ballots.

The school’s auditorium/gymnasium will be the area of the facility designated for voting.

The elementary school is one block west of the old location.

Hertford County Board of Elections Director Sheila Privott said the eleventh hour decision to change locations was policy driven.

&uot;We are mandated by H.A.V.A. to have certain compliance issues addressed by November 7,&uot; Privott said. &uot;We had to secure a location that would up to the federal standard and we had time constraints to be concerned with.&uot;

Precinct locations and the voting systems that are employed fall under the jurisdiction of the Help America Vote Act (H.A.V.A.) of October 2002.

H.A.V.A. laws set the guidelines for issues such as voter access and provisions on voter registration and voter education.

Privott said the elementary school allows for high volume voting, handicap accessibility and an improved technology potential.

&uot;We apologize for the inconvenience,&uot; Privott said. &uot;We had to ensure that we were within H.A.V.A. guidelines.

Individuals with further questions or concerns about the new precinct location should contact the Elections Office at 358-7812.