Early voters could see long lines

Voters who want to cast their ballots early could find long lines awaiting them when early voting sites open later this week.

Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties will begin offering “One-Stop No Excuse Absentee Voting” for the May 6 Primary Election, beginning Thursday. A complete list of counties offering early voting sites can be viewed at www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=17

In addition to voting early, residents who missed the deadline for voter registration can register at the “one-stop” sites, then vote on the same day. To register, residents must provide appropriate identification with their name and current address. A list of documents that are accepted as identification can be found at www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?ID=32

“There is every possibility that this is not going to be like going through the drive-thru at your favorite fast food restaurant,” said Johnnie McLean, deputy director of the State Board of Elections.

“I think that if the turnout at the one-stop voting sites are as great as we think it may be, then all of us need to be prepared to possibly wait.”

Bob Hall, executive director of Democracy North Carolina, a nonpartisan election reform organization, worries that bottlenecks could become so frustrating that some people will leave without voting.

“It’s like preparing for a hurricane and a week-long rock concert at the same time,” said Hall.

Hall is urging state and local officials to take measures to avoid back-ups at the one-stop voting sites and confusion among voters. His recommendations include: adding extra personnel at early voting sites, extending site hours, and expanding the number of days sites are opened.

Wake County already has increased its number of early voting sites, Hall said.