The polling station traditionally located at the International Monetary Fund building has been moved to GW’s Smith Center for Election Day because of access concerns.

John Petrie, vice president for public safety and emergency management, said checkpoints at the 19th Street building, which has been under a heightened security alert since August, would hinder people from getting in and out of the facility.

He said GW offered the Smith Center as an alternative site for Nov. 2. Voting will not affect any sports teams’ schedule.

“It’s an access issue for people to get to the polls,” Petrie said. “Going through a screening process is inconsistent with the democratic process.”

In a letter to local voters, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics said the polling hours would remain from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Petrie said that while GW will be a center for voters in Foggy Bottom, the University will not enact any new security measures for Nov. 2. He added that there is no indication that the Smith Center will be a polling center in the future.

-Gabriel Okolski