DEMOPOLIS &8212; A move to consolidate the city&8217;s polling places into one location for municipal elections failed Thursday when Mayor Cecil P. Williamson cast the deciding vote to block the measure.

Collins proposed holding the primary and run-off elections at the civic center, while offering voters a referendum on whether they preferred one location or separate locations for districts.

Commissioners Thomas Moore and Charles Jones agreed with the idea of a referendum &8212; but disagreed that the upcoming election should be held at only one location.

Voters who attended the city council meeting sided unanimously with Moore.

Some didn&8217;t understand the timing of the proposal.

King said that with more than 4,000 registered voters, the city would be creating a possible gridlock situation similar to &8220;a Demopolis High School football game.&8221;

Still others questioned the legality of such a move.

Melvin Yelverton seconded Collins&8217; proposal, and when the measure was put to a vote, Yelverton, Jack Cooley and Collins all voted in favor of holding the 2008 municipal elections in the civic center. Moore and Jones opposed the measure &8212; as did Williamson.