Beer just bumped ballots in Smyrna, where Cobb County elections officials have pulled the plug on voting at the Smyrna Community Center for the May 19 primaries after deciding it sits too close to a brand-new brewery next door.
County staff say the community center falls inside a state-required buffer that restricts alcohol sales within a certain distance of polling places on election days, so the longtime voting spot is out, at least for now.
The surprise came during a March 16 elections board meeting when staff rolled out measurements showing StillFire Brewing is only 89 feet from the Smyrna Community Center, according to Atlanta News First. "So, now we can never use that as a voting site?" board member Stacy Efrat asked. Interim Elections Director Michael D'Itri answered, "Until the law changes, that is correct."
StillFire co‑founder Aaron Bisges told the board he only learned about the restriction during that meeting and said he was surprised by how the county interpreted the law, according to the same reporting.
The law behind the move
At the center of the dispute is Georgia election law, which bars the sale of alcoholic beverages within 250 feet of any polling place on primary or election days. Elections staff cited O.C.G.A. § 3‑3‑20 when they made the call to drop the Smyrna Community Center from the lineup of voting locations.
The statute and its 250‑foot rule are spelled out in the state code, as published online by Georgia Code.
A brewery at the Village Green
StillFire opened its Smyrna taproom in March and promotes the spot as a family‑ and dog‑friendly hangout, complete with patios, a playground area and multiple bars, according to the brewery's website. Local coverage of the grand opening described a packed March 13 weekend that brought strong crowds to the Village Green area.
The brewery's own visitor information points customers to parking at the adjacent community center, a convenience that also puts the two operations in the same tight block of public space. That setup is exactly what pushed the community center inside the 250‑foot alcohol buffer once voting enters the picture.
Where Smyrna voters will cast ballots
With the Smyrna Community Center off the table for the May primary, county elections officials say early voting will shift to the newly built Milford Recreation Center. Interim director Michael D'Itri confirmed the move to reporters.
The goal, he said, is to keep early‑voting options local and accessible for Smyrna residents while the legal restriction is still in force, according to Atlanta News First.
How to confirm your polling place
Smyrna voters are being urged to double‑check their assigned polling place and early‑voting sites before heading out to vote. The state's My Voter Page (MVP) and Cobb County's elections pages list current precinct locations and any recent facility changes.
The county keeps an updated list of precinct and facility changes on its elections site, and the Milford Recreation Center page lists hours and contact information for voters who need an accessible alternative. For details, see MVP, Cobb County Elections and the Milford Recreation Center.
