Harnett County election board approves amended early-voting plan amid conflict-of-interest concerns

The Harnett County Board of Elections, facing sustained public comment and internal debate over cost, access and optics, voted on an amendment Tuesday to its proposed early-voting plan and agreed to submit the majority plan to the state board because the decision was not unanimous.

The amendment, put forward by a board member during the meeting, removed Boone Trail Community Center as a designated early-voting site and added Anderson Creek Fire Station in its place. Board members also discussed eliminating Sunday early-voting hours in the majority plan to reduce operating costs; staff told members that dissenting board members may submit an alternate plan to the state board, which will make the final decision.

The board heard repeated objections from residents about the proposed use of a private warehouse owned by Ricky Temple, a former precinct chair. "The Templeton Building breaks the state law," said Alan Longman, who urged legal action if the board…