Granville commissioners set aside funds for possible fourth early‑voting site after public outcry

The Granville County Board of Commissioners voted July 6 to reserve county funds for a potential fourth early‑voting site in northern Granville County after multiple residents and advocacy groups urged the board to preserve existing polling places and expand access.

Members of the League of Women Voters and at least 15 residents pressed the board during the public‑comment period, warning that changing familiar early‑voting locations could reduce turnout. "Please protect Granville County's strong voter turnout, fund the 4th early voting site to support rural communities, and to the board of elections, keep our successful established sites where they are," Sonia Glavin told commissioners.

Speakers repeatedly cited turnout figures and cost estimates. Local resident Fred Johnson said he met with elections staff and prepared an incremental cost estimate of "approximately $53,500" to run a northern site; other presenters offered estimates ranging into the mid‑tens of thousands. Kyle Lampard, a Butner resident, said the county should both add a northern site and restore South Branch Library and Oxford Public Works as local sites, noting there are "over 22,000 registered voters in Southern Granville" and that some voters rely on nearby early‑voting locations.

Elections director Tanya Burnett told the board she does not advocate for or against site decisions and that the county board — not the county commissioners — selects polling locations; the commissioners provide funding. "As director, I do not make the decisions nor do I advocate for them," Burnett said, describing staffing and cost work the elections office has done.

Teresa Gillreath, a county board of elections member, said the elections board initially voted 3‑2 on a plan that would close or move some historic sites and add a Stovall‑area site. She told commissioners the BOE later discussed holding a special meeting to seek more guidance and to make a unanimous recommendation if possible.

Commissioners spent more than an hour questioning staff about process, staffing and which body has authority over site choice. After debate about procedure and timing, the board approved an amended motion to move money from the county's unappropriated/unassigned fund balance into funds assigned to the Board of Elections. The budget language directs that the assigned funds "may be used solely for the establishment and operation of an additional early‑voting site approved by the county board of elections." County legal and finance staff advised that the board could either appropriate the money now with a restriction or wait and adopt a budget amendment after the BOE finalizes a site selection.

The action does not itself select voting locations. The board of elections must still approve an additional site and follow any state approval steps; commissioners said the assigned funds would only be spent if and when those approvals are complete. The BOE has an upcoming meeting window before the state submission deadline of July 24, 2026, where it may revisit sites and seek consensus.

The board's vote to set aside funds was announced by the chair after a motion and amendment; commissioners directed staff to return with appropriate budget paperwork to implement the assignment.

Next steps: the county manager and finance director will present the formal budget amendment language and, if the BOE finalizes a plan for a fourth site, the board expects to move appropriations per the approved restriction.