Compiled by Jesse Wood
Update: The State Board of Elections has approved the majority plan for early voting in Watauga County during the general election in November, according to WRAL’s Mark Binker.
SBOE approves Watauga early voting plan keeping location but expanding hours at downtown location 4-1. #ncga
— mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
While no early voting will take place on Appalachian State University, the downtown early voting site at the Watauga County Administration Building will have extended hours, according to Binker via Twitter.
This is the third time in a row that the State Board of Elections has approved the majority plan under GOP leadership.
See all of Binker’s tweets from the meeting below.
Aug. 21, 2014. The Watauga County Board of Elections is currently appearing before the State Board of Elections in Raleigh to present early-voting plans. The meeting began at 1 p.m., and Watauga County’s portion was among numerous agenda items.
The majority plan by the GOP board members doesn’t feature an early voting site on the campus of Appalachian State University for the general election, while the minority plan of Democrat member Kathleen Campbell does. See preview article here.
“Gilkeson” in the tweets below refers to Bill Gilkeson of law firm Bailey & Dixon, a firm that has been retained by the Watauga County Voting Rights Task Force, an arm of the Watauga County Democratic Party. Gilkeson is speaking on behalf of Campbell.
The services of Bailey & Dixon law firm in Raleigh were retained to “represent our constitutional rights in the siting of Watauga’s polling locations for the 2014 general elections,” according to a letter penned by Pam Williamson. For reference:
- Republican State BOE members are Josh Howard, Rhonda Amoroso and Paul Foley.
- Democrat State BOE members are Josh Malcolm and Maja Kricker
- Republican Watauga BOE members are Luke Eggers (absent) and Bill Aceto
- Democrat Watauga BOE member Kathleen Campbell is represented by Gilkeson (see above)
- Watauga Elections Director Jane Ann Hodges
Below are live tweets from WRAL’s Mark Binker, who is covering the meeting.
The most recent are on top. Refresh page to see new tweets and give page a second for the tweets to load.
SBOE approves Watauga early voting plan keeping location but expanding hours at downtown location 4-1. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Amoroso points out ASU will have polling site on Election Day, just not early voting times. #ncga
— mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Kricker says there ought to be a campus location in 2014. #ncga Says worries abt electioneering boundaries by Aceto could be overcome #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Kricker says she’d like to see compromise on Watauga early voting, maybe bring one stop back to campus for 2016. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE considers keeping Watauga locations but expanding downtown location hours. #ncga Kricker says she’s worried abt. not having campus site — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE chair Howard: “my first instinct would be to trade Watauga County to Tennessee.” #ncga #hellbehereallweek — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Paul Foley and Rhonda Amoroso really push hard on Gilkeson again re: diff between locations- not quite hostile questions, but close. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Gilkeson says expanding early voting hours downtown would help but “is no substitute” for having ASU on-campus location. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Watauga elections dir says it makes sense to add early voting hours @ downtown location; got question during primary why not open before 11. — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE mems Amoroso and Howard suggests more hours at new sites might alleviate some complaints. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Gilkeson: no logical reason not to have a site on App State campus, move makes voting harder for some. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE mem Foley tells Gilkeson he made “sensational” 26th amend claims. Foley says he doesn’t see argument based on short distances. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE mem Amoroso: has anyone been disenfranchised in Watauga? Gilkeson: “barriers” have been erected. Students have had difficulty. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE mem Amoroso: has anyone been disenfranchised in Watauga? Gilkeson: “barriers” have been erected. Students have had difficulty. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
SBOE member Foley really presses Gilkeson on distances of early voting sites to App State campus. Says new location is only .6 miles #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Watauga case involves early voting location on App State campus. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Watauga County early voting plan makes a 26th amendment claim. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
26th Amend: The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged…” #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014
Robeson and Watauga counties continue their efforts to be the SBOE’s favorite problem children. #ncga — mark binker (@binker) August 21, 2014