By: Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Elections met on Monday afternoon and discussed the plans for the June 7 Congressional race.
Board of Elections Director Cynthia Shaw told the board that One Stop voting must be offered for the June election and the option is available to offer One Stop voting in June at the Bladen County Public Library in Elizabethtown.
Shaw also said that the filing period for Supreme Court judges and US Congress will re-open from March 16 through March 25. She added that voter registration will also re-open but no dates were given.
“We’re still waiting on guidance (from the State Board of Elections),” said Board Chairman Bobby Ludlum.
Ludlum did add that on June 7 all 17 precincts in Bladen County will be open for voting.
Shaw also told the board that Edison Research will be conducting exit polls at Elizabethtown Precinct. She said they will have identification and will be stationed outside of the 50 foot boundary.
“It appears they have gone through the State Board of Elections,” said Shaw.
Ludlum told that Democratic Party President Zane Singletary had submitted a list of observers for the March 15 voting.
“The only thing they can do is observe,” said Shaw.
She also updated the board with the One Stop total which saw 3,099 votes cast. Shaw stressed this was One Stop totals only and did not reflect any mail-ins.
A question was raised regarding provisional votes and Ludlum said that provisional ballots are decided prior to the vote canvassing day.
Shaw said that the Chief Judges at each polling location will also be calling in periodically during the day to report the number of the ballots cast and the number of voters who are in line.
William Hemphill addressed the board and asked why he had to give the poll worker his address. “After I showed her my identification and she asked for my address,” said Hemphill.
Ludlum said that giving the poll worker your address orally is state law.
“I questioned the lady and she said we don’t know if that is your ID,” said Hemphill.
Both Brian Hehl and Ludlum reassured Hemphill that it is correct procedure to ask for the voter’s mailing address after showing their identification.
Hemphill said that overall, the poll workers he had encountered and observed did a good job.
The board also held a closed session.
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