Issue of Sunday voting goes to State Board of Elections

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Elections met Tuesday to discuss the 2016 General Election Absentee One-Stop Voting Plan and other election-related matters.

One topic that was brought up was whether Sunday voting should happen in New Hanover County.

Dozens of people spoke during a public comment section, in favor and against Sunday voting.

The Board of Elections had mixed feelings about the topic. Chairman Jonathan Washburn and Secretary Jamie Getty preferred Plan 5 which did not include Sunday voting. Member and Parliamentarian Thomas Pollard preferred Plan 2 which did include Sunday voting.

The Board voted 2 to 1 against Sunday voting.

“We’ll submit, per statute, plans for all Board members to the State Board of Elections, non unanimous plans for them to make a final decision on,” Elections Director Derek Bowens said. “So we’ll await the wording from the State Board of Elections when they have their next meeting as to a decision on which plan will go into effect in New Hanover County.”

Board members said folks have many opportunities to vote, including absentee.

Leaders also decided to move UNCW’s polling place back to the Warwick Center.