Polls, Churches and County

The connection between polls, churches and county become clearer during elections. Churches in Peachtree Corners function as important polling locations for the electorate and the County government. Among the various churches, schools and community centers located within the 13 precincts of Peachtree Corners, the Winter Chapel Baptist Church is one of six churches used as polling station. The Winter Chapel Baptist Church, located at the intersection of Winter Chapel Road, Jones Mill Road and Spalding Drive, has functioned as the official polling center for Precinct 101 since the 1980s. Mr. Lee Rohrbach, Deacon Board Chairman of the Church provides support on every election. On March 6, this location and Lee became important for Peachtree Corners because of services and his knowledge.

According to Lee, Gwinnett County pays a fee to the Church for providing access to the voters. Lee is an interesting connection between the polls, church and the county. With his accumulated ballot box knowledge that span several decades of political changes − from assembling to dismantling of voting machines, Lee has become an expert station guide and a valuable asset to both county government and poll officials. Even though, voter turnout on Super Tuesday was not so super, turnout was higher than 2008 primary. At that time, 20 percent of the registered voters made it to the polling station, representing 60 percent Republican and 32 percent Democratic votes.

On Super Tuesday 2012, I was part of a six-member team of poll officials to serve at Precinct 101. Lee proved to be a valuable team member, outside of the roster, donning a baseball cap and a disarming smile, always providing his helping hand. The team began preparatory work on the evening of March 5, by setting up five functional election stations in the main hall of the church. Voting stations, sequentially aligned, ensured a smooth ballot flow in anticipation of electorate traffic for the main day. The final unlocking of the direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting machines and laying out of necessary voter registration forms and certificates, were undertaken on March 6, prior to official opening of the polls. The polls opened at 7:00a.m., closing officially at 7:00 p.m. serving the community of Precinct 101.

Precinct 101 included community residing within the zip code 30360 from Norcross and Doraville. This area falls under the administrative boundary of District 1 and encompasses Spalding Drive to the north, Holcomb Bridge to the east, Winter Chapel Road to the west and Jones Mill Road to the south. Previously considered as the periphery, this precinct now officially belongs to the newly formed municipality of Peachtree Corners. In 2011 local elections, 70 percent of the community of this area voted against the creation of the new city of Peachtree Corners. Therefore, it is not surprising that the voter turnout on Super Tuesday, despite the first municipal elections did not exceed one third of the registered population.

Based on recent registration data, Precinct 101 has 1639 registered voters, representing 55 percent Caucasian and 28 percent African Americans. Additionally, 2.3 percent are Asians and 2.4 percent, Hispanics. The category of ‘others’ constitute 2.2 percent and ‘unknown’ are 1.8 percent.

According to 2012 exit polling information, on March 6, only 30.45 percent of registered voters went to Precinct 101 station to cast their votes. Out of total 499 votes cast, 19.4 percent (97 votes) represent Democratic votes. Republican votes hold a substantial 80 percent (399 votes) lead, which is an increase of 20 percent in turnout rate since 2008 primary. The independent votes represented 0.6 percent (3 votes).  Disaggregated precinct level voting data breakdown by ethnicity and race is not yet available.

Peachtree Corners is a Republican stronghold. The turnout of Republican voters in Precinct 101 was much higher than anticipated, even though 2008 general election results for this precinct illustrate democratic leaning.  The results from March 6 indicate if Democrats and minority voters wish to participate in political processes and make their voices heard, they get organized. The new city of Peachtree Corners is now a reality. It is clear, if Democrats do not go out to vote, they cannot have an advantage over Republicans. Likewise, if minority voters shy away from polling stations, then the discourse on majority and minority districts will have little value.

Result from Precinct 101 is but one representative sample of outer precinct of Peachtree Corners. The linkages between polls, church and county illustrate that mobilizing and harnessing of local knowledge and resources will continue to play an important role in political processes. This connection, however also raise questions on the interrelatedness between church and local governments. Furthermore, connections become sensitive when money is involved. Seeking ways in leveraging connections between polls, churches and county to promote nonpartisanship and civic participation could also lead to increased voter turnout. However, it is not an acceptable practice for county to pay churches for providing community facility during elections, in particular, if the financing is coming from taxpayers’ coiffeurs. Additionally, reinforcing linkages between public schools and county could also promote nonpartisanship and civic responsibility. Setting election centers in public schools could result in increased civic participation and voter turnout, and in educating the youth as future voters.