LISBON – Voters here are being given an opportunity to weigh in on how they feel about consolidating the two polling locations – the town office and the MTM Center – into a single location at the Lisbon Community School on Mill Street in Lisbon Center.

A nonbinding advisory-only question in Tuesday’s election asked voters if they support the change for all state, local and federal elections beginning in 2008.

The possibility of making a change came up during budget meetings earlier this year when the town clerk recommended adding a third polling location, plus a central polling place for absentees and processing new voters. Councilors instead suggested a single location at the Community School.

Town officials say consolidation will not change the District I and District II distinctions or legislative representation in each district, and absentee balloting would continue to take place at the town office.

Registered sex offenders whose victims were under 14 would be notified by the Police Department that they would have to exercise their voting rights at the town office as absentee voters and would not be allowed to vote at the school due to state law restricting registered sex offenders from coming onto school property.

Among the pros and cons of consolidation: voting in the Community School gym would result in a loss of physical education and wellness instruction for approximately 200 students each election day and the close proximity of the voting location within the building and the student playground could cause concern for student safety; however, if a change were to take place, police coverage would be provided.

Proponents of consolidation say that there is more parking space at the Community School than there is at the town office or the MTM Center; safer vehicle access from Mill Street to the Community School than from Route 196 to the town office; and it is easier to supervise voting, employees, and candidates at one location.

It is acknowledged that there would not be any cost saving, nor added expense to the town by combining the two locations into one.

School officials have offered an alternative to the Community School location, saying the town would be welcome to use the former elementary school on Gartley Street in Lisbon Village instead.

Ultimately, the town council will make the decision on whether or not to consolidate.