Candidates object to sample ballots

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Some New Hanover County Republican candidates are questioning campaign materials being handed out at the polls. Several Republicans held a news conference this afternoon to bring attention to some sample ballots they say are produced by the Alliance for a Better Local Economy or ABLE.

The Republicans say some of the sample ballots they’ve seen falsely represent the official Republican ballot and even labeled Republicans as Democrats. Members of ABLE say they did not make those ballots. The organization says it only has one sample ballot, showing who the organization supports, and the ballot meets all board of election state laws.

“We offer it to them as a conservative ballot or a ballot for conservative change,” said ABLE treasurer Laura Triece. “Clearly, there may be some unaffiliated people, not just republicans who are interested in voting for conservatives this year.”

The Republican candidates say they held today’s news conference to bring attention to the issue before tomorrow’s election. They say they’re trying to prevent voter confusion at the polls.