Some Hoover residents got a surprise at the polls Tuesday when they learned they could vote in the Shelby County Board of Education elections.

Candidates say confusion about the Shelby County and Hoover lines and who can vote in which election is common.

&8220;A lot of people say &8216;I can&8217;t vote for you because I live in the city of Hoover,&8217;&8221; said Steve Martin, who is seeking re-election to the Shelby County Board of Education.

But as Martin points out, that isn&8217;t true: &8220;All Shelby County residents are allowed to vote for superintendent and school board races.&8221;

The confusion is centered on the Greystone, Southlake and Riverchase areas, all in the county but all zoned to Hoover City schools.

According to Superintendent of Shelby County Schools Evan Major, the majority of voter uncertainty is tax related. The complex tax laws basically result in Shelby County paying Hoover for a percentage of taxes that are leveraged in both districts.

&8220;The tax law can be hard to understand, but the voting for superintendent and board members is no different than sheriff or another county office – everyone has the opportunity to vote in the election,&8221; said Major