The Harrison County Clerk’s office announced Monday that three voting precincts will be consolidated for elections in 2016.
The voting places at Washington Center, Mt. Moriah and Blythedale will be closed for the next election. This will reduce the number of precincts from the present nine precincts to six.
County Clerk Jackie Deskins said new technology and the need to replace voting machines have made it necessary to reduce election expenses. Harrison County will be required to replace all current voting machines with new devices that can be used in local as well as national elections.
Deskins said Harrison County has joined with Grundy and Mercer counties in securing bids from vendors to replace the machines.
Washington Center voters from Washington and Dallas townships will now cast their ballots at the New Hampton Fire Station.
Blythedale voters and Lincoln Township voters will use the Eagleville City Hall.
Mt. Moriah and Trail Creek voters will cast their ballots at the Cainsville City Hall. Fox Creek residents will vote at the Gilman City Community Building.
The first election for the newly-aligned precincts will be the presidential preference primary in March 15 of 2016.