By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Voters in Rowan County will likely have more time to cast ballots in November during the general election.

During a meeting on Tuesday, the Rowan County Board of Elections unanimously approved an early voting plan that places two polling locations in Salisbury and others in Cleveland, Spencer, Rockwell and China Grove. In total, the plan allows for 470 hours of early voting over a period of 10 days. It’s nearly 30 more hours than state law requires and board members noted that fact before approving the plan.

Compared to requests from Rowan residents during a public comment period on Tuesday, Board of Elections members made relatively few changes to the proposed plan from county staff. Several people during public comments asked for early voting on a Sunday and a Livingstone College early voting site. Instead, the board added extra time for voting on Nov. 2 and Nov. 3.

Members of the public requested a Sunday early voting time to allow people to vote immediately after church — called “Souls to the Polls.”

“You know there’s a beauty in after hearing an inspiring message to go vote after services,” said Salisbury pastor Patrick Jones. “I think it would be a great opportunity for every church in Salisbury to know that they can go vote on Sunday.”

Rowan County Elections Director Nancy Evans told board members other counties have tried Sunday early voting with varying success. Board member Gus Andrews, a Republican, used Evans’ statement as a reason he didn’t favor early voting on Sunday. Board member John Hudson, a Democrat, asked questions about Sunday early voting, but didn’t specifically speak out in favor of the idea. Elections Chairman Dwight Collins also didn’t express an opinion about Sunday voting.

Board of Elections members selected Nov. 2 — a Wednesday — for an extension in voting hours because a number of local churches offer Wednesday services. Andrews suggested the idea.

Board members seemed to be OK with a Livingstone College early voting site, but didn’t approve the proposal because of a lack of available funding. Evans said the county only had enough funding for six sites. One needed to be at the Board of Elections office at West End Plaza. The other needed to be in downtown Salisbury, Andrews said.

“I definitely feel that (downtown) is the business center of the county and it needs to be a central location for voting,” Andrews said. “So, I wouldn’t be in favor of changing it at this time.”

He also mentioned the fact that voters are familiar with the library site as a spot for early voting.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, Rowan Democratic Party Chairman Geoffrey Hoy said the early voting plan represents “some progress.” Hoy said the Board of Elections discussed the issue fairly, but he plans to keep pushing for expanded voting hours and locations.

Evans said the plan approved Tuesday next heads to the State Board of Elections. Because the Rowan Board of Elections approve the plan unanimously, Evans said she expects the state to also approve the plan.

Early voting times and locations approved Tuesday for November’s general election are:

• On Oct 27, 28 and 31: The Rowan County Board of Elections headquarters, Rowan Public Library Headquarters, Cleveland Town Hall, Spencer Municipal Building, Rockwell American Legion Building and Rowan Public Library South Branch will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• On Oct 29: The Rowan County Board of Elections headquarters, Rowan Public Library Headquarters, Cleveland Town Hall, Spencer Municipal Building, Rockwell American Legion Building and Rowan Public Library South Branch will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• On Nov. 1 and 4: The Rowan County Board of Elections headquarters, Rowan Public Library Headquarters, Cleveland Town Hall, Spencer Municipal Building, Rockwell American Legion Building and Rowan Public Library South Branch will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• On Nov. 2 and 3: The Rowan County Board of Elections headquarters will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. All other sites will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• On Nov. 5: The Rowan County Board of Elections headquarters will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.