Officials plan to expand early voting locations for 2026 following heavy turnout issues

During the Cherokee County Board of Elections and Registration meeting on February 3, 2025, officials addressed significant challenges faced during the previous election cycle, particularly concerning long wait times and voter accessibility. The discussion highlighted the overwhelming turnout in the 2024 elections, which resulted in traffic congestion and lengthy waits of up to 50 minutes for voters attempting to access drop boxes.

In response to these issues, the board is actively working on solutions for the upcoming 2026 elections. Meetings have already taken place with local libraries and churches to explore potential early voting locations that could alleviate the burden on existing sites. The board expressed concern about possible legislative changes that could shorten the early voting period, which may exacerbate the situation by concentrating more voters into a limited timeframe.

The board emphasized the importance of maintaining early voting options, as data indicates a growing trend of voters opting for early ballots. There is apprehension regarding discussions among some legislators about limiting early voting, which could complicate the voting process for residents.

Additionally, board members discussed the need to analyze turnout data from previous elections to identify high-traffic early voting locations. This analysis could inform decisions on whether to split popular sites to better manage voter flow.

As the board prepares for the next election cycle, they remain committed to improving voter access and reducing wait times, while closely monitoring legislative developments that could impact their plans. The meeting underscored the board's proactive approach to addressing past challenges and ensuring a smoother voting experience for Cherokee County residents in the future.