Staff writer
West Alexander may have ceased to exist as a borough, but in the wake of its merger with surrounding Donegal Township, it hopes to preserve its identity as a voting precinct.
Dennis Makel, Donegal solicitor, petitioned Washington County Court on Thursday to allow three precincts to remain in the newly reconstituted township.
Voters in the two municipalities approved a merger in the Nov. 4 election, and West Alexander became a village within Donegal Township on Jan. 1.
West Alexander residents, which included 197 registered voters in last year's general election, have voted for many years at the Main Street fire hall.
Donegal has had two precincts, one in the municipal building at 727 Old National Pike, Claysville, where 1,228 residents are registered to vote, and a second at Zion United Methodist Church, Route 231, where 328 voters are registered.
Larry Spahr, Washington County elections director, said he was aware of the petition. Spahr expects Judge John DiSalle to order the elections department to conduct an investigation before scheduling a hearing on the matter.
"Any changes must be made with the convenience of the electors in mind," Spahr said. Other factors taken into account are population, location, travel distance and number of registered voters.
Makel included a map and a petition from 20 Donegal voters asking that the third precinct be retained in West Alexander.