Voting procedures outlined for Fairhope change of government referendum

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Due to the delay of the referendum on Fairhope’s possible change of government, new voting procedures will be in place for Fairhope residents for the Nov. 6 election.

Fresh Start Fairhope spokesman Chuck Zunk sent an email to supporters last week that outlined the procedure for voters and said he had spoken with Fairhope City Clerk Lisa Hanks on the correct process.

Fairhope voters will head to their assigned polling location and check in with their photo ID and first be given the federal, state and local ballot.

Upon completing that ballot and putting it into the voting machine, they will then go to another desk located next to that area to receive the Fairhope referendum ballot. Voters will again need to show their ID to elections staff, vote and then put that ballot into a special voting machine that is specified for referendum votes.

Seven different voter precincts will have this special set-up: Fairhope Civic Center, Fairhope 3 Circle Church, Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church, St. Francis at the Point in Point Clear, Daphne Civic Center, Belforest Community Center and the Barnwell Volunteer Fire Department.

Any absentee ballot that had previously been submitted before the change of election date had been announced was destroyed, according to the city.

Residents seeking absentee ballots can contact the City Clerk’s office or visit the City of Fairhope’s website to find the application for requesting a ballot.

The City of Fairhope has also created an information guide on the election and frequently asked questions about the potential form of government change, which can be found at www.fairhopeal.gov/community/faq/the-special-referendum-for-changing-from-council-mayor-to-a-council-manager-form-of-government-will-be-held-on-november-2nd.