Fairfield voters in the 5th Ward will cast their ballots at a new location starting with the Primary Election on June 2, 2026, as Jefferson County Auditor Christy Conner has announced a permanent change to the precinct’s polling site.
The polling location is moving from Pence Elementary at 1006 S. 6th St. to Friends Church at 1209 S. 6th St. — just across the street. The change is permanent and applies to all voters in the precinct.
Conner said the decision came after visiting the precinct during last fall’s city and school election, where she observed firsthand that the current setup at Pence Elementary was no longer adequate for the volume of voters and equipment the location requires.
“Ideally, the school would be our best option and has worked wonderfully in the past,” Conner said. “It used to be in the gym, and the entrance to the school was open so there was plenty of space. With necessary security measures for students and staff being added to schools through the years, the voting now occurred in the main front door lobby of the school, which did not allow much room for all the equipment, poll workers, and voters.”
She noted that when lines formed, voters were forced to wait outside — an uncomfortable situation in cold or rainy weather. The new location at Friends Church addresses those concerns on multiple fronts.
“The gym at Friends Church is easily accessible, has plentiful parking, is ADA compliant, and has much more space,” Conner said. She also noted a practical benefit for poll workers, who staff the location from 6:00 a.m. through at least 9:00 p.m. “Having to be buzzed into a bathroom at the school wasn’t always convenient, and now they will also have access to a kitchen so they can hopefully take turns for meals throughout their workday.”
Conner emphasized that she did not make the decision lightly. “I felt the positives outweighed the negatives and did not take the decision lightly, as it is a big change and the school is a building supported by taxation, which makes it an ideal choice,” she said. “We needed to find a space in the same precinct that allowed room for the volume of voters.”
Voters in the Fairfield 5th Ward who have questions or concerns about the change can contact the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office at 641-472-2840.
