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Board of Voter Registration briefs delegation on new machines, long lines and tabulation constraints
Summary
Beaufort County elections officials told the delegation they have added equipment and poll-worker training but face geographic constraints and state rules that delay official tabulation; officials discussed remote precinct logistics (Daufuskie Island), early voting site expansion and a legislative amendment request related to precinct co-location.
Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections officials reviewed preparations for the next election cycle and sought delegation assistance on precinct locations and additional early-voting access.
"We now have about 50% more equipment than we had in 2022 and only about 10% more voters," Vice Chair Matt Sweeney said, noting that the county purchased new ballot-marking devices for 31 new precinct deployments. Election staff described ongoing poll-worker recruitment and additional training sessions scheduled for the month.
Officials explained why some returns are slow to reach Election Central: state law prohibits transferring official results over a modem, so results from remote locations must be physically transported (Daufuskie Island requires boat transfer) and reconciliation procedures at precincts add time before cumulative county tallies can be posted. The board said early- and absentee-ballot tabulation procedures and mandatory reconciliation forms require finishing steps after polls close at 7 p.m., which can delay countywide reporting.
Delegation members pressed for more polling locations and better distribution of machines to reduce long lines; board officials said they can increase early voting sites (state law allows up to seven early voting centers) and continue recruiting poll workers, but they also noted community facility availability limits. The board requested delegation consideration of a legislative amendment allowing the board to co-locate precincts when no suitable site exists — a pilot report and request will be prepared for legislative review.
