Harnett County elections board adopts municipal early-voting plans, schedules judge appointments; tables ballot-duplication policy

The Harnett County Board of Elections on Wednesday approved early-voting schedules and public information flyers for upcoming municipal elections, set dates to appoint chief judges and early-voting officials, agreed to mail precinct-change notices and work with county political parties on outreach, and voted to table a proposed ballot-duplication policy for further review.

The decisions affect the Erwin municipal election and the Andrews and Lillington municipal contests, set key deadlines for party-submitted judge lists and early-voting official appointments, and schedule a demonstration of a ballot-on-demand system for stakeholders.

The measures came after public comments urging changes to how chief judges are selected and broader outreach about precinct changes. Public commenter Marge Mueller told the board that appointments should reflect party registration, saying there “should be 8 Republican and 7 Democratic chief judges for the 2025-26 election cycle.” Another speaker, Rebecca Brock, praised past staff and workers and urged transparency, saying “the past board, the current election staff, and the county poll workers have produced accurate and fair elections.”

What the board approved and scheduled - Early-voting schedules: The board adopted an early-voting plan for the Erwin municipal election that runs Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday Oct. 4, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. It adopted a separate early-voting schedule for the Andrews and Lillington municipal elections ahead of the Nov. 4 election, with early voting Oct. 16–Oct. 31 (weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Saturday Nov. 1, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. - Flyers and outreach: The board approved two color flyers describing early-voting dates and sites for distribution. The board said it will post information on county channels and requested party assistance; Desiree, the county public-information officer, confirmed staff will post notices on Facebook, Nextdoor and other channels. - Judge and…