Limited space cited for change in course
Just 2 ½ weeks after publicly declaring its support for curbside voting, the Graham County Board of Elections is changing its tune.
And for good reason.
Citing both N.C. General Statute 163-226 – which maps out the guidelines for absentee voting – and a lack of space at the elections office on Court Street, the board is shifting its focus toward a mail-in approach for early voting.
“I don’t know how we’re going to do it (one-stop voting) and maintain social distancing,” Chair Juanita Colvard said. “We can’t really tell anyone to curbside vote; they have to have a reason to. Being afraid of COVID-19 – unless they have the Legislature change the guidelines – is not a reason to vote curbside.
“If somebody wants to tell us that they’re sick and they didn’t want to come in, that’s entirely up to them. But we can’t encourage that.”
Director Teresa Garland pointed out that 45 absentee ballot requests have already been submitted, which “for us, at this time of year, is really good.”
“Who knows? We might be a little bit surprised; more people will probably vote absentee than usual this year,” board member Lowell Crisp said. “We’re encouraging this because we don’t have the space to maintain social-distancing guidelines at our facility.”
The planned move of the Board of Elections to the Graham County Community Center does not have an expected date at this time.
Voters do not need to provide a reason to cast their ballot through the mail. Absentee-ballot request forms can be requested by calling the Graham County Board of Elections at 479-7969.