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Burke County Board of Elections directs letter to fire department, approves two precinct decisions and sets budget follow-up
Summary
At its April 14, 2026 meeting in Morganton the Burke County Board of Elections unanimously approved motions directing staff to draft a letter to the Longtown Fire Department about voting‑day disruptions, to draft a resolution moving Icard 3 to the Hildebran Senior Center/Library, and to keep Lovelady 4 at the Valdese Recreation Splash Pad; budget changes were deferred to June 9.
The Burke County Board of Elections unanimously approved a series of operational motions Tuesday, including direction to staff to draft a letter to the Longtown Fire Department about disruptions during the March primary, approval to pursue relocating the Icard 3 precinct to the Hildebran Senior Center/Library for early voting, and a vote to retain the Lovelady 4 precinct at the Valdese Recreation Splash Pad. Director Kenny Rhyne told the board the meeting began at 10:00 a.m. in the Morganton board room and adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Director Kenny Rhyne presented a Voting Systems Incident Report that incorporated a March 3, 2026 report from Chief Judge Stephanie Price of Linville 1 Precinct. According to the report, delivery of voting equipment left marks on a recently painted wall and staff were unable to access a building on time the following morning, which interfered with opening as required by state statutes; the report also notes that election workers were distracted by a member of the fire department while voters were in the process of voting. Linda Walker moved that Rhyne draft a letter to the Longtown Fire Department addressing the incident for Chairman Anthony Iovino’s signature; the board approved the motion unanimously (5–0).
Rhyne also reviewed a request to move the Icard 3 precinct from the Hildebran Municipal Gymnasium to the Hildebran Senior Center/Library, noting that the location currently serves as an early‑voting site and some voters go there on election day expecting to vote. Linda Walker moved that Rhyne draft a resolution to effect the move; the board voted 5–0 to approve the motion.
On a separate precinct matter, Rhyne presented a resolution from the Burke County Democrat Party and a citizen letter from George F. Henne, Jr., requesting that Lovelady 4 be moved to the Valdese Recreation Center. The board considered turnout at the Valdese Splash Pad in recent elections—321 voters in the 2024 presidential election, 293 in the 2025 Valdese municipal election and 202 in the March 2026 primary—and discussed voter safety concerns about crossing two lanes of traffic and curbside/handicap parking that spans two lanes. Beverly Carlton moved to keep the Lovelady 4 precinct at the Valdese Recreation Splash Pad; the motion passed unanimously (5–0).
Rhyne briefed the board on the current budgeting process and said requests to increase several line items remain under discussion; he will bring the matter back to the board at its June 9, 2026 regular meeting. There were no public comments and no board comments before adjournment.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda as presented — motion by Donna Wojcik; approved 5–0 (SEG 012–013). - Approve March 13, 2026 canvass meeting minutes — motion by Linda Walker; approved 5–0 (SEG 014–015). - Instruct director to draft letter to Longtown Fire Department regarding March incident — motion by Linda Walker; approved 5–0 (SEG 016–017). - Draft resolution to move Icard 3 to Hildebran Senior Center/Library — motion by Linda Walker; approved 5–0 (SEG 017). - Keep Lovelady 4 at Valdese Recreation Splash Pad — motion by Beverly Carlton; approved 5–0 (SEG 017–018). - Adjourn meeting — motion by Beverly Carlton; approved 5–0 (SEG 021).
The board’s next regular meeting was scheduled for June 9, 2026, when Rhyne said budget line items would be addressed.
