Alexandria Polling Station on the Move

Voters who usually cast their ballots at Chinquapin Recreation Center will have to head a half-mile down King Street for elections in 2013.

First Baptist Church, located at 2932 King St., will be the precinct’s temporary polling station this year for the June 11 primary and Nov. 5 general election. The polling place will be located on the north side of the church in Rooms 150C and 150D.

The move was needed because of scheduled heating and air conditioning renovations at Chinquapin. The recreation center is closing May 6 for at least five months, and health officials will not allow the building to be occupied during construction.

State law requires polling stations be placed in public buildings whenever practical. Alexandria Electoral Board officials looked at T.C. Williams High School as well as its Minnie Howard campus before settling on First Baptist because of its 250-space parking lot, its available space and a desire to avoid interfering with activities at the schools.    

Of Alexandria’s 26 permanent polling stations, four are located in churches—Agudas Achim Congregation, Temple Beth El Synagogue, Blessed Sacrament Church and St. James Church.