Redrawn voting districts mean some go to new polling place

• City Hall

City Hall

Talk about it

More...

• River Falls voting-district map

Following new population estimates given after the 2010 Census and according to federal requirements, River Falls redrew its voting-district lines to align with the new numbers and keep relatively equal numbers of people in each ward and district.

Some new lines place pockets of River Falls into a new aldermanic district, meaning some citizens will vote in a new polling place during the spring elections for mayor and City Council, as well as the presidential and other elections this fall.

Deputy City Clerk Bridget Hieb pointed out that for the City Council primary held Feb. 21, only voters in District 4 will be affected since that is the only district holding a primary election.

She said the city sent voters in District 4, post cards highlighting the changes.

The same will be done for other voters affected, but not until closer to the spring elections -- probably about March, said Hieb.

Meanwhile, people can view the new district map on the city’s website, as well as check to be sure they’re registered to vote and get information about the voter IDs now required.

Click on ‘Voter Info’ to see the new district map, a link under the heading “Where Do I Vote in 2012?”

Click ‘City Information’ then ‘Elections’ to check voter registration status, get a registration application, read up on the new ID law or get an application for an absentee ballot.

Hieb mentions that the city is now posting general information to Facebook and encourages people to “like” River Falls and check out what’s there.

She said voters who have had any kind of change happen to their status since they first registered to vote in Wisconsin, should re-register. The clerks are advocating early preparation, especially for the presidential election, so that people don’t get stuck waiting in long lines.

What follows is a general description of the district-map changes.

• Residents in the Golf View Drive area move to District 1 from District 3 and will vote at the National Guard Armory instead of Meyer Middle School.

• Residents in the neighborhood bordered roughly from Division Street to the north, South Winter to the south, and Bob White and Lewis streets to the east and west, move to District 3 from District 1 and will vote at Meyer Middle School instead of the National Guard Armory.

• An area south of East Johnson Street extending just past Cemetery Road changes to District 2 from District 4 and will vote at the University Center instead of the high school.

• The area east of South Wasson Lane that includes Wildcat Court, as well as the streets from Crescent Court to East Cascade change to District 2 from District 3 and will vote at the University Center instead of Meyer Middle School.

  Polling places by district (also shown on graphic):

  District 1: The National Guard Armory, 815 W. Division St.

  District 2: University Center, 500 E. Wild Rose Ave.

  District 3: Meyer Middle School, 230 N. 9th St.

  District 4: River Falls High School, 818 Cemetery Rd.

Click to link to the city’s voter information page: www.rfcity.org/ci_voterinfo.asp.

Tags: river falls, government, politics