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Elections director reports turnout prep, absentee counts and registration totals
Summary
Director Rachel Raper told the board that 179 absentee ballots had been transmitted beginning Jan. 12, 2026, registration totals rose to 111,783, and 1,120 voters remain on the Registration Repair Project list; the board also received budget and testing updates ahead of the March 3 election.
Rachel Raper, director of the Orange County Board of Elections, briefed the board Jan. 13 on office preparations for the March 3, 2026 Statewide Primary and Orange County Schools Board of Education election, absentee ballot transmission, voter registration totals and the Registration Repair Project.
Raper provided an informational pamphlet covering key March 3 election details and described planned Logic & Accuracy testing and a Mock Election, including how test ballots and scripts are used, how results are verified and chain-of-custody safeguards for voting equipment. She said the office would follow those procedures to confirm equipment readiness.
Raper reported that 179 absentee ballots had been transmitted to voters beginning Jan. 12, 2026: 41 civilian absentee ballots, 131 overseas absentee ballots and seven military absentee ballots. She presented the yeartodate budget report and said sufficient funds are available to carry out the offices work.
On voter rolls, Raper reported 111,783 registered voters, an increase of 911 since Dec. 2, 2025. She noted that 782 17yearold voters were registered on Jan. 2, 2026 in accordance with N.C.G.S. 163-59 because they will be 18 by the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. On the Registration Repair Project, the director said 1,120 voters remain on the list and 517 voters have repaired their registrations.
The board also welcomed new member Ann Brooks and briefly discussed surveying voters about their voting experience. The board approved the Dec. 2, 2025 minutes by unanimous motion earlier in the meeting and adjourned; its next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 5 p.m.
