By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – A last-minute change has been made in the location where District 7 voters will be casting their ballots for the Nov. 4 election.

The 1,500 plus voters registered in the district should go to the Trinity Masonic Lodge 79 at 563 Zion Road, not the Painters Local Union 277 on Ocean Heights Avenue.  The union hall, which has been used for voting for at least the last 18 years, was officially made unavailable for Election Day Oct. 2.

“Someone from the union hall came to my office two weeks ago,” said Egg Harbor Township Clerk Eileen Tedesco Friday, explaining that there was a conflict with the hall having a meeting on election night.  She asked that they put the information in writing.

An official letter was not sent to the township; instead, Tedesco said she heard from the Atlantic County Board of Elections Oct. 2, which finds and inspects election places, which confirmed that the space would not be used this election.

The new location at the Trinity Masonic Lodge was solidified Oct. 3.

In order to be considered for a polling place, a building must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Last week Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith A. Davis issued a statement in which he said there was fear that the change of the polling location, which historically has showed high turnout for Republicans, could discourage voters from casting a ballot this year.

“The union hall has been used for many years as a polling station and, in fact, was utilized as recently as the primary election in June,” Davis said. 

The chairman wants to know why it has been a sudden change.

“Is this a deliberate, pre-planned effort to reduce the Republican support in the precinct?”

Tedesco said she is also concerned about those in District 7 being confused and believes that they are making every effort to inform affected voters.

She said a sign will be placed at the union hall and display ads will be run in local newspapers prior to the election.  The sample ballots mailed out will also reflect the change of address.

“I put information on our website about the election and something will run on Channel 2 as well,” the clerk said.
Tedesco said the township has had similar discussions with the Painters Union over using the location in the past and possible problems. However, she said there was never a letter officially notifying the township or the county that their facility would not be available in the future.

Tedesco said she submits a list of polling places each year to the county that will be used in that calendar year. The union hall was on that list for 2008.

It is unclear at this time if voting will go back to the painters union for 2009 elections, the clerk said.

The Painters Union was unavailable for comment.