Harnett County Board of Elections outlines municipal-election dates, early voting plan and precinct-notification steps

The Harnett County Board of Elections reviewed candidate filings and set logistics for upcoming municipal and potential runoff elections, confirmed early-voting windows and described steps to notify voters affected by recent precinct changes.

Filing closed at noon the previous Friday; the board noted Erwin’s municipal election is set for Oct. 7 and that a November 4 date is on the calendar for Willington-related contests. The board said one contested Erwin race likely will not require a runoff. The candidate list is posted on the board’s website.

Why it matters: Voters and campaigns need the schedule and early-voting plan to prepare. The board also must notify voters whose precinct assignments changed so they receive correct polling-place information before Election Day.

The director recommended offering the state-minimum early voting hours for municipal contests because municipal turnout historically has been low. For the October municipal election, the director said early voting would run Sept. 18–Oct. 4, with the statutory Saturday before the election open (8 a.m.–3 p.m.). For the November contest, early voting would run Oct. 16–Nov. 1. The director said an early-voting plan must be submitted to the State Board by Aug. 8; if the board's early-voting plan is not unanimous, alternate plans must be submitted and the county must notify the State Board accordingly. The board agreed to place the early-voting plan on the Aug. 5 agenda for approval, noting a board member named Betsy must be present to reach unanimity.

The board said it has completed geocoding and internal auditing of two new or changed precincts and will mail voter notification cards to affected voters. The director said the mailer will indicate precinct or location changes and that the county has added the changes to its website, provided notes for the utility-bill newsletter, and will contact local media and party chairs. The director suggested the proposed outreach staff position would help push these notifications in person.

Board members discussed contingencies for voters who go to their previous polling place on Election Day: a voter who arrives at the old location after polls have closed at 7:30 p.m. would be offered a provisional ballot, and election staff said provisional ballots would be brought before the board for determination and counting if the ballot meets requirements. The director noted that, where precinct splits occur, ballot styles should remain consistent across the split areas but said staff will treat provisional ballots according to established procedures.

The board also agreed to draft and send a letter from the chair inviting the Republican and Democratic party chairs to an Aug. 5 meeting to discuss notification strategies; the director noted that does not cover independents and encouraged additional outreach channels.

Separately, the chair said he will schedule a joint meeting with the school board, county commissioners and sheriff to discuss concerns about using schools as polling places when classes are in session.

No formal vote was required to accept these operational updates; the early-voting plan will be voted at the next meeting.