The North Carolina State Board of Elections held a press conference this afternoon for State Board officials to update the typical post-election processes.
Most questions and details given during the press conference were about absentee and provisional ballots.
“We will adhere to what the law provides us,” said Karen Brinson Bell, State Board of Elections Director.
Locally there were concerns about ballots not being at the Abbostburg precinct until 7:30 a.m. on Election Day morning. Chris Williams, Director with the Bladen County Board of Elections, explained, the ballots were late to the polling site due to human error, but no voters were turned away or left before casting their vote.
“I did contact the State Board of Elections about the issue. They held a meeting, but I never received a phone call back from them,” Williams stated.
Today, some phone calls came about early voting signs still being erected at the election’s office in Elizabethtown and a group set up outside with a tent. Williams explained the early voting signs were taken down.
The non-profit, non-partisan organization, Men and Women United for Youth and Families, had a tent set up on the lot beside the board of election’s office to show support for the community. According to Rev. Keith Graham, the organization was handing out food and playing music to show appreciation for the Bladen County Board of Elections to Bladen County voters.
The local election boards across the state are beginning audits today. Random precincts are selected randomly in each county to be counted by hand for audit purposes.
Williams also announced today, Bladen County will hold an Absentee Ballot meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. Absentee Ballots can continue to come in by mail up to November 12, 2020 (postmarked November 3, 2020). The Bladen County Board of Elections will hold an additional meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
The local election Canvas will be held on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 11 a.m.
According to Bell, the State Board will hold another meeting on November 24 and discuss lessons learned and best practices.
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