MARIETTA - The Marietta City Council recently approved recommended changes by the Cobb Board of Elections that decrease the number of voting locations in wards 2, 4 and 6, and expand precinct boundaries.

The changes reduced the total number of polling locations in the city's seven wards to 12. There were 14 in 2008 and 18 in 2005. The council approved the changes at its Aug. 12 meeting. The changes will take effect for the Nov. 3 general election.

In each odd numbered year, the Cobb Board of Elections staff reviews polling places and makes adjustments based on voter registration statistics, past voter turnout, technology improvements and early voting statistics, said Sharon Dunn, director of the Cobb Board of Elections.

She said the changes were made because of more residents voting early. She said 43 percent of Cobb voters in last year's presidential election voted early.

"I believe this trend shows that people like the convenience of voting on their time schedule instead of only having one day," said Dunn. "Therefore, a plan was developed to reduce the number of Election Day polling places throughout the county and shift resources to better serve the early voters. The overall goal being to increase the efficiency of our operations."

Dunn said the reduction of two precincts was part of the board's plan to make it better for voters because both precincts were small, and an increasing number of voters choose to vote early. She said the reconfiguration allows most voters to vote closer to their home.

Councilmen Grif Chalfant represents ward 2, Van Pearlberg represents ward 4 and Jim King represents ward 6.

In ward 2, precinct 2B, Dunleith Elementary School at 120 Saine Drive, and 2C, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at 566 Whitlock Ave., will be combined and known as precinct 2B. Voters will now use Hickory Hills Elementary School at 500 Redwood Drive.

In ward 4, the precinct boundaries of 4B, Tommy Nobis Center at 1480 Bells Ferry Road, 4C, Carriage Oaks Club House at 6 Carriage Oaks Drive, and 4E, Grace Community Church at 770 Kennesaw Ave., have been enlarged to include more neighborhoods.

Voters in precinct 4A will now use Grace Community Church. Voters in precinct 4B now use the Tommy Nobis Center and voters in precinct 4C will now use the Murray Arts Center at 2250 Stilesboro Road.

In ward 6, the precinct boundaries of 6A, Lockheed Elementary School at 1205 Merritt Road, 6B, East Park Community Clubhouse at 1345 East Park Blvd., and 6C, Mt. Paran Church of God North at 1700 Allgood Road, are combined into two precincts, 6A and 6B. Precinct 6C was removed.

Voters in precinct 6A will now use Lockheed Elementary School and those in precinct 6B are now to use Mt. Paran North Church of God.

For more information on the changes, contact the Cobb Board of Elections at (770) 528-2581.