The state Board of Elections has ruled that Sunday voting will be available to Anson County residents, overturning a decision by the local Board of Elections that would not have provided that option.
The decision is being applauded by local Democrats and criticized by local Republicans.
The state board met after an appeal was made to review the decision voted on by the county board. The county board voted 2-1 against Sunday voting at its last meeting on Aug. 23, which took place after two earlier votes unanimously against Sunday voting. The state board in Raleigh met on Sept. 4 to review the case and vote on it. The chairman broke the 2-2 tie, voting in favor of Sunday voting, said Donna Wells, a Republican Party chair who attended the session.
Democratic Party Chair Vancine Sturdivant was satisfied with the results. “The State Board of Elections’ approval of Sunday voting is truly a victory for Anson County,” she said via email. “The reason I am in favor of Sunday voting is because I want to give the citizens of this great county every opportunity in which to exercise their right to vote… This project allows our elderly, disadvantage[d] citizens and citizens who may work six days a week or two jobs weekly an opportunity to vote.”
Wells said she was disappointed by the state board’s decision to overrule a board that had already voted against Sunday voting three times. “If the majority vote has no meaning in North Carolina, why not just let the state board run the local show, also?” she said. “Today, in Raleigh, we saw a perfect example of what is called the tail wagging the dog.”
Early voting hours now offered, including Sunday hours, are: Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 22-26, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 27, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Oct. 28, 2-5 p.m.; Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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