Harnett elections staff to mail notices for four new precincts; parties to assist outreach

Elections staff told the Harnett County Board of Elections on Wednesday that they will mail notice cards to voters affected by four newly created precincts and will provide lists of affected voters to the county Democratic and Republican parties to support outreach.

The board’s elections director, Claire, said the office has completed precinct code changes and planned mailings: “We have completed the due code changes, and I plan on mailing those cards out either later this week or beginning of next week,” she said.

Board members and party representatives discussed how to reach impacted voters. The Democratic chair said the party will use its meetings and website resources to notify voters; Republican vice chair Dominic Alvarado said his party will hold a multi-precinct meeting on the 14th and invited board members to speak. Claire confirmed the office will provide a list of affected voters to each party: “So the parties hear that, she can provide a list of the affected voters ... Yes, sir.”

Why it matters: precinct changes can redirect where residents vote and, if not widely publicized, can increase provisional voting and line backups. Board members proposed multiple notification channels — direct mail, county website, water bills, social media, Nextdoor and school newsletters — and urged extra staffing and training in the four new precincts to avoid confusion on election day.

Board members discussed operational steps. Claire said staff would run manual address-range updates and that elections staff and Eric Barclay were completing last-minute audits. The parties agreed to coordinate wording with Claire so outreach messaging would be consistent. The board also discussed the possibility of billboard advertising and of sending information home with students in affected precincts.

The board asked that poll workers in the four new precincts receive special training. One board member proposed bringing small teams of chief judges and judges in advance for dedicated instruction so they “know exactly what to do in those situations.” Claire said the office would attempt targeted training and add extra staff at primaries if needed.

Ending: Claire said the office will proceed with the mailings and provide lists to the parties; the board and parties will coordinate outreach and training before the next election cycle.