Registered voters in the village of Bluffton will vote at The Centre, 601 N. Main St., during the May 4 Ohio primary election.

Voters were notified this week that the polling location will move from the Bluffton elementary school, where it was located for several decades, to The Centre.

According to Kathy Meyer, director of the Allen County board of elections, voters must receive a notification of a polling location move 90 days prior to an election, thus the yellow post card sent through the U.S. Postal Service announcing the location change.

Asking where the idea to move the location came from, Meyer told the Icon that some poll workers had suggested to the election board that the move take place.

She added that in several situations, the election board recognizes there are security issues involved in holding elections in school buildings.

However, during the 2020 general election, Bluffton school students attended school virtually and were not in the building.

“We looked at The Centre and felt it was worth a try,” said Meyer, added that she then recommended it to the election board, who gave permission for the polling change.

She said that polling location will be at The Centre on May 4 and “we will see how it goes,” adding that there is more parking available at that location.

Asked if the school was notified about the change of location, Meyer said that she understood that took place.

The Icon asked Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent, about the polling location change. He said that he learned about it when he received the post card in the mail.

The Icon asked if the village office, chamber or businesses were asked for views about the polling move. Meyer said they were not.

Denecker said that it was not a school decision to change the polling location. He added that should the election board decide to return its polling place to the elementary the school he would welcome them back.

Bluffton voters will see a short  Ohio primary ballot. The general election in November will include voting for four council members, three school board members, two Richland Township trustees among other potential local and state issues.