Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bladen County approves $28,543 election budget amendment after heated debate over early-voting sites
Summary
The board approved a $28,543 budget amendment to cover expanded early-voting costs after a contentious exchange over whether the county should have chosen fewer early-voting sites; commissioners cautioned about costs and poll-worker shortages.
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment of $28,543 plus a $894 filing fee to cover early-voting expenses after a contentious discussion about the number of sites and poll-worker availability.
Board of elections staff said the increase responds to expanded early-voting plans and state recommendations; the elections director urged the board to be mindful of access across a geographically large county. Commissioners raised concerns about the cost per vote at some satellite sites and the county—s ability to recruit poll workers. One commissioner said he had urged the elections board previously to limit the number of sites and lamented the expense; the chair described encountering a constituent in tears about an $800 tax bill and said he worried about spending in that context.
A voice vote approved the amendment; commissioners did not record roll-call tallies in the minutes. Supporters of the amendment said it was necessary to ensure access and compliance with state guidelines; critics argued the county could have reduced costs by earlier planning and that the money might be better used elsewhere.
Next steps: County finance will process the amendment and the board asked elections staff to provide additional turnout-per-site percentages for future planning. Commissioners said they will continue to monitor poll-worker recruitment and the logistics of site placement.
