New Elections Office Will Ease Pressure on Jimmie Keel Library, Says Elections Chief of Staff

To avoid a repeat of long lines at polling places like the Jimmie Keel Regional Library at 2902 W. Bearss Avenue in Carrollwood, county elections officials plan to open two new satellite offices in northern and southern Hillsborough County this fall.

“We want to take some of the pressure off early voting sites, like the Jimmie Keel" (library branch), said Craig Latimer, chief of staff for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Latimer made the announcement at a meeting of Hillsborough Democrats held on Aug. 9. The satellite offices will offer vote-by-mail ballots and act as drop-off points for those ballots.

Residents will also be able to register to vote at the offices. The satellite offices are slated to open in October or November, in the U.S. 301 and Big Bend Road area and in the vicinity of Gunn Highway and Anderson Road, Latimer said.

Latimer also urged voters to keep a close eye on upcoming Congressional redistricting. Under federal law, state and congressional districts must be re-examined every 10 years, to take into account population shifts as noted in decennial Census reports.

County commission districts for Hillsborough County were recently redrawn, stirring controversy in some quarters, as Latimer noted, with areas like Brandon split into two districts along Brandon Boulevard.

The heated debate over county commission districts was seen by many as a warm-up for the battle to come over state and Congressional districts.

“The redistricting issue will be one worth keeping an eye on,” said Latimer, who encouraged voters to visit the state’s redistricting website, where they can learn more about the issue and even draw their own redistricting maps and make suggestions.

A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Aug. 29 from 4-8 p.m., at Jefferson High School, 4401 Cypress St.

Anyone who would like to attend is urged to fill out an online RSVP.