ATLANTIC BEACH -- Horry County's Registration & Elections Director has sent a request to the Department of Justice to change the precinct location for the May 22nd election in Atlantic Beach.
The county would like to hold the special election at the 1st Missionary Baptist Church, 2808 Hwy 17 S, in Atlantic Beach.
In the town's November 2011 election, Jake Evans beat incumbent mayor Retha Pierce and councilwoman Windy Price for the mayor's seat. Price and another candidate, Misty Umphries, appealed the election. The town's election commission sided with them, and the election was thrown out.
But the election commission failed to set a new election. So, in March, the governor's office stepped in, set the May 22nd election day, and ordered Horry County to oversee it.
Last week, Mayor Retha Pierce told Horry County the community center, where elections are normally held, was booked so Horry County began looking for another location.
The county says this precinct change would be for the special election held on May 22nd only.
All registered voters in Atlantic Beach would receive a post card notifying them of the precinct change.
