BAY MINETTE — The Baldwin County Commission agreed Friday to reassign voters at Precinct 45 at Spanish Fort Elementary School to East Pointe Baptist Church on State Road 225 following the discovery of lead paint at the school.

The Commission’s action include the Feb. 5 Presidential Preference Primary, the June 3 Presidential Primary and the July 15 run-off (second primary) election.

Depending on public feedback, the move to East Pointe Baptist Church may become permanent.

There are 3,856 voters assigned to Precinct 45, according to election officials.

Baldwin County Board of Education officials said Wednesday the hazardous materials cleanup at Spanish Fort School may extend past the Feb. 5 election, requiring county officials to find an alternate site, according to Commission assistant David Brewer.

The actions follows a 1999 state Attorney General’s opinion that county commissions may change voting sites less than 90 days before an election if an emergency exists.

Brewer said the new location is about 3.5 miles from the school and was the closest facility available within the precinct boundaries.

East Pointe Baptist Church, across from Blakeley Historic State Park, has a large parking area, handicap accessibility, a front door with an outside covering to allow voters to be dropped off in case of inclement weather, and a large fellowship hall.

Brewer said the Rev. Rob Burns has offered the site as the permanent location for Precinct 45 voters.

Commissioner Wayne Gruenloh agreed to the change but said commissioners may reconsider the location if complaints are received.

“The church is a fine facility, but I am concerned about moving the voting site away from the precinct’s population center,” Gruenloh said.

Meanwhile, the Baldwin County Board of Registrars and Probate Office staffers will immediately begin contacting affected voters about the location change, Brewer said.

Both governmental entities also are contacting voters about other precinct changes.

Pine Grove School voters have been assigned to the Pine Grove Fire Department; voters at the dissolved South River Park Church of God precinct in Barnwell will vote at the Fairhope Civic Center; and Fairhope Civic Center voters will vote only on Feb. 5 at the James P. Nix Center due to a Mardi Gras-related activity scheduled at the civic center the night before the election.

Due to Mardi Gras, Baldwin County voters may opt to vote early on Jan. 30 at the Foley Civic Center. All county precincts will be open Feb. 5 for voters to cast their ballots.