Residents tell Granville commissioners proposed early‑voting site moves would harm voter access

Several Granville County residents told commissioners at the June 1 meeting that proposed changes to early‑voting locations would reduce access for voters who lack transportation or rely on nearby community sites.

David Scott, who said he lives in Oxford, told commissioners the plan to move the Public Works early‑voting site to the Granville Expo Center "will have a negative impact on our constituents in Oxford," arguing the Expo Center is harder for many residents to reach and that commissioners should speak out to protect accessible locations.

Other speakers, including Kristen Hefner and Kyle Lampard, said removing the South Branch Library as an early‑voting site would make early voting far less convenient for southern Granville residents and urged commissioners to use their influence with the board of elections or consider funding transportation or additional sites. Bob O'Carr emphasized that the Public Works Building has been a long‑standing, centrally located site that provides access for voters who cannot drive.

Why it matters: speakers said the proposed reconfiguration would pose real transportation and time burdens for elderly residents, people who rely on county transit or who work during the day, and urged elected commissioners to raise the concerns with the board of elections and consider funding to preserve local access. At the June 1 meeting, callers asked the board to ensure funding remains available for current sites or to add transit options; no formal board action to change county support for voting locations was taken at the meeting.

Next steps: residents asked commissioners to communicate concerns to the board of elections and to consider funding or logistical support for additional early‑voting locations; the commission did not adopt a resolution or change county funding during the June 1 session.