In the upcoming April 1 primary, voters in Columbus and Starkville may find their polling place is different from the last city election thanks to new ward boundaries.

This year’s municipal election will be the first since both cities approved new ward maps to account for population shifts recorded in the 2020 census. As a result, several precincts in both cities have been reassigned.

Why did redistricting happen? How will it impact where Starkville and Columbus residents cast their votes? How can I know where to vote?

What is redistricting?

Federal law requires populations across wards be as equal as possible, with no more than a 10% deviation between the most and least populated wards. Because the 2020 census showed a greater deviation in ward lines, both Starkville and Columbus were required to draw new maps before the election this year.

Starkville approved new ward boundaries in 2022, incorporating the areas annexed by the city in 2021. That annexation added 2.3 square miles and about 1,400 residents to the city.

A failed attempt to annex two areas, which would have added about 2,000 residents to the population, held up redistricting in Columbus until last fall. The city approved its redistricting map in September and later paused the annexation process.

What changes on election day?

With municipal elections operating under different boundaries and precincts than state and county elections, residents may be voting at different locations than they did in the November 2024 general election. Changes in ward boundaries means precincts could also be different from the last city election.

Aside from contacting city officials, voters can find their ward and polling information on the back of their voter registration card. There are also updated ward maps available on the Starkville and Columbus city websites.

Where to vote in Columbus

All six Columbus wards changed with the new map, but City Registrar Brenda Williams told The Dispatch the city is prepared for the changes. Williams said registered voters should have received a new card with their updated ward and polling place information.

Most Columbus wards contain multiple polling places. Each voter is assigned a specific location, which can be found on the back of their voter registration card. Anyone who needs to verify their voting location should contact the registrar’s office at (662) 328-2381, Williams said.

Ward 1 residents will be assigned to vote at one of three precincts: Southside Church, Townsend Park or William Washington Terrace.

In Ward 2, residents will be voting at either East Columbus Gym and Fairview School. Ward 3 voting locations are Columbus High School and First Assembly on Military Road.

In Ward 4, there are three polling locations, including Fire Station 1, Propst Park Community Hut and Stephen Chapel Life Center.

Ward 5 voters will go to the Boy Scout Building and 15th Street Church. Brandon Central Office is the precinct for Ward 6.

Where to vote in Starkville

All but two wards in Starkville will have different polling places this year. To avoid confusion on election day, City Clerk Lesa Hardin encouraged residents to check on their precinct early.

“Call the city clerk’s office, and then we can look them up through the (statewide election management system) or they need to call the circuit clerk’s office,” she said. “We can pull them up in there, and it will tell us what ward they’re in and where their voting precinct is.”

Ward 2 and 3 residents will continue voting at the Sportsplex as they did in the last election, but all other wards will have new precincts this year. Ward 1 residents will also vote at the Sportsplex. Ward 4 and Ward 7 residents will vote at City Hall. The voting precinct for Ward 5 is Fire Station 1, and the new location for Ward 6 voters is Fire Station 3.

Residents looking to check their polling place can contact the city clerk’s office by calling City Hall at (662) 323-2525 or the county circuit clerk’s office at (662) 323-1356.

Editor’s note: Do you want answers to questions about the Golden Triangle? Each week, Dispatch reporters set out to explain or update a timely, practical issue. Email your question to [email protected].

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.