Robbinsville – An emergency order at the state level left the Graham County Board of Elections scrambling for a new early-voting plan.
But at the July 23 special called meeting, the board resoundingly answered the call, putting in place a plan for voters as they head to the polls in the fall.
Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. Board of Elections, issued an emergency order July 17, which furthered the cause of protecting voters by expanding upon COVID-19 protocols.
Most notably, Bell’s order decreed that each county’s board of elections must open each one-stop voting site for a minimum of 10 hours for the first and second weekends of the 17-day early voting period, which begins Oct. 15 and ends Oct. 31. There is a possibility more days could be added.
Locally, the Graham County election board is stressing the importance of curbside voting, as it limits exposure for both voters and workers.
“We’re going to provide curbside to anybody that would like to vote in the car, and not come in,” board Chair Juanita Colvard said.
In direct response to the emergency order, the county board voted to submit the following as Graham’s one-stop plan:
* The Graham County Community Building (196 Knight St.) will be the emergency backup location for voting, should something happen to the election office during the polling period. The election board could be moved into its new offices at the community building by then, but the location was chosen in case plans fall behind.
* The election office – located at 18 Court St. – will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first two Saturdays of early voting. The final Saturday will see the office open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* The board plans to commandeer 10 parking spots around the election office, which will include spots in front of Robbinsville Town Hall and adjacent to the Graham County Courthouse. Tents could also be set up, to keep workers and voters out of the weather. This will ensure an easier experience for curbside voting, as a huge turnout is expected.
“We’re going to need every bit that we can get,” Colvard added.
* Extra workers will be hired, to fulfill various roles, including helping voters, cleaning, and to make sure COVID-19 procedures are being followed.
“We’re trying to do 1-on-1 with each voter, instead of having 10 (voters) in here at once. You don’t want that,” Colvard said.