WADESBORO- Early voting was in full swing at the Board of Elections during their second Absentee Meeting of this voting season on Tuesday, Feb. 8. Campaigners for local politicians took shelter from the drizzling rain under tents as voters cast their ballots inside.
This week, the Board approved 458 early voting ballots and 3 absentee by mail ballots. They have received a total so far of 714 early votes and six absentee ballots so far this year. “Back in the day, it seemed these meetings used to last longer. We used to have to sign and approve the early voting and absentee ballots individually. Now you can simply sign a cover sheet as long as all of the Board has acknowledged it,” said Board of Elections Chair James Paxton. The meetings, which would last long into the night in the past, are now over in a matter of minutes.
The Board has placed Student Election Assistants in every precinct but one. ”We did that on purpose because it’s such a small precinct. It’s going to be great having those students working on election day. Hopefully, we can retain them when they graduate to come back and work for us,” said Board of Elections Director Steve Adams.
The deadline for early voting is on Saturday, Feb. 29. Tuesday, Feb 25 by 5 p.m. was the deadline for absentee ballots for individuals who are not in the military or currently overseas. March 2 is the deadline for citizens living overseas or military personnel to mail in their ballots.
“Absentee by mail ballots are timely if they are returned to us up to three days after Election Day as long as they have been postmarked by Election Day,” said Adams. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3 and all precincts in Anson County will be open that day from 6:30 am. Until 7:30 p.m.
