Voting cards delayed for some Marietta voters after redistricting

MARIETTA, Ga. — Several hours before voters head to the polls, there were some major concerns in Marietta that voters will not know where to go. 

This is the first election since redistricting for municipal elections in Marietta.

The concern is over cards telling voters whether they have a new polling location and where to vote. Channel 2 Action News learned the cards were mailed out late to Ward 5 voters because of an error by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. 

Ward 5 is Marietta's only majority African American district and cuts through central and eastern Marietta.
 
"The one ward that you have the mistake is the majority minority ward, that should have been a red flag to somebody," said Deane Bonner, president of the Cobb County NAACP.

"We are hoping that everyone has received their cards by now," said Cobb County Elections Director Janine Eveler. 

She said her office noticed the error after the Secretary of State's office sent the new polling location cards.
 
"Ward 5 did have an error, that we asked for a re-print," said Eveler.
 
Eveler said after receiving the corrected cards, her office set them out on Oct. 25.  Eveler suggested voters check the Georgia Secretary of State's website before heading to the polls.
 
"That's the frightening part, people that don't know and will not know until (election day)," said Bonner. "With the cutbacks with the postal service, there is no guarantee those people got their cards."
 
Several voters in Ward 5 contacted by Channel 2 Action News said they received their cards already.  Others did not.
 
"No, I did not," said Benjamin Silva, who said he was a registered voter in Marietta. 

If voters don't have their cards, and show up at the wrong polling location, they can fill a provisional ballot. Poll workers are also trained to direct voters to the correct polling location, Eveler said.

WSBTV