Probate Judge Ben Bowden has set a special election for Feb. 24 to decide whether the Macon subdivision will be annexed into the City of Andalusia.

The annexation method requires a petition signed by 60 percent of the property owners to bring the issue before the council. If the council agrees, it then asks the probate judge to hold an election. Any registered voter who lives in the designated area may vote.

The council approved a resolution in December calling for the election.

There are 16 parcels of property in the subdivision. All of the property is located on Benvalen Avenue. Among the reasons cited for annexation were better fire protection and consequently, better insurance rates, council members were told.

Bowden said voting is set for 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Feb. 24, and the election will be conducted at the city’s law enforcement training center, the community center nearest the property in question.

Bowden said he also will allow absentee voting if the registered voters come to the probate office.

The vote will be taken with an old-fashioned, locked ballot box, he said, adding that the three poll workers will count the votes.

-Michele Gerlach