Elections board doesn't extend early voting hours
by Anna Oakes
The Watauga County Board of Elections on Tuesday considered a
motion to extend early voting hours at Appalachian State University and the Watauga County
Courthouse because of the area's inclement weather earlier in the week, but the motion failed to
pass by the required unanimous vote, Elections Director Jane Hodges said.
The three-member board considered extending hours at Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Student Union until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday this week only and at the Watauga County Courthouse until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday this week only.
Board of Elections Chairwoman Stella Anderson made the motion to extend the hours, seconded by member Rusty Henson, but member Stacy Eggers IV voted against the motion.
"Chairman Anderson and Secretary Henson have requested that an emergency State Board (of Elections) meeting be held as soon as possible to overrule the Watauga County (board)'s decision last night," Hodges said. "I have received over 200 emails this morning asking that we extend the hours."
In Wednesday's print edition, Watauga Democrat reported that early voting hours would be extended until 7 p.m. (instead of 5 p.m.) at the Watauga County Courthouse on Thursday and Friday and at the ASU student union on Wednesday and Thursday. Elections Director Jane Hodges said on Tuesday that Watauga County had been cleared by the state to do so.
However, extending early voting hours required a unanimous vote of approval by the Watauga County Board of Elections.
The three-member board considered extending hours at Appalachian State University’s Plemmons Student Union until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday this week only and at the Watauga County Courthouse until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday this week only.
Board of Elections Chairwoman Stella Anderson made the motion to extend the hours, seconded by member Rusty Henson, but member Stacy Eggers IV voted against the motion.
"Chairman Anderson and Secretary Henson have requested that an emergency State Board (of Elections) meeting be held as soon as possible to overrule the Watauga County (board)'s decision last night," Hodges said. "I have received over 200 emails this morning asking that we extend the hours."
In Wednesday's print edition, Watauga Democrat reported that early voting hours would be extended until 7 p.m. (instead of 5 p.m.) at the Watauga County Courthouse on Thursday and Friday and at the ASU student union on Wednesday and Thursday. Elections Director Jane Hodges said on Tuesday that Watauga County had been cleared by the state to do so.
However, extending early voting hours required a unanimous vote of approval by the Watauga County Board of Elections.