Is anyone else feeling more patriotic than ever as the America we love is regularly painted as a fearful place full of whatever customized devil has been created to try and frighten and distract us from paying attention to reality? I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so patriotic, particularly when it comes to our right to vote.
In my Part 1 letter published on 7/28/26, I wrote regarding the non-unanimous decision by the Rowan County Board of Elections that resulted in our local Early Voting Calendar to now be decided by the N.C. State Board of Elections. Here’s Part 2, “Let’s Play Fair.” It’s now time for public comments to the board members in Raleigh who will decide between Plan C, with a full weekend of voting and Plan A, with just the required minimum that includes only weekdays and one Saturday.
Why bother to comment?… Public feedback is a critical part of a functioning democracy, and the public comment portal is an opportunity for Rowan County voters to advocate to the N.C. State Board of Elections for Plan C. The additional Saturday and Sunday would give our citizens more options of when to vote to accommodate their busy schedules. Submit your opinion to the public portal ASAP as it closes on Monday, Aug. 17.
Why Plan C?… It’s a fair compromise! I, and many others, believe Plan C, with 15 days to vote is a fair compromise that was made by Rowan County Election Board members Medina and Wright. They did their job as stewards for all Rowan voters and chose the plan in the middle of the five listed for consideration at their June 10 meeting, after first voting for Plan E with 17 days and then Plan D with 16 days to no avail. Plan C with 15 days was a fair compromise, maintaining the expectation of weekend voting that is strongly favored by the public who attended the local meeting and submitted written comments to the Rowan Board and to the Salisbury Post while also reaching across the aisle to their fellow members.
(NOTE: there was no public opposition during public comments at the meeting nor did any member mention any public communication that opposed adding weekend voting days as is allowed)
Plan C adds an additional Saturday and a Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, to Plan A, the chosen plan of members Collins, Hewitt and Leatherman. Plan A only contains the required weekdays and one required Saturday, Oct. 31. Think some voters might have family plans on Halloween? I would imagine so. Plan C with two additional days, a full weekend, better meets the needs of Rowan voters. Not only do the vast majority of voters vote early, but the early voters have steadily increased over time. Since 2018, the rates of voting have been higher on weekend early voting days than on weekdays. (This information and other data are available through NCSBE files)
I want more infromation than I’m reading here…
The Salisbury Post has provided regular coverage about local and state voting issues through news articles and on the opinion page. You can also visit the Rowan County Board of Elections or the websites of the local Republican and Democratic parties.
So, is there more?… Most definitely. Interestingly, Republicans on other local County Elections Boards have been spilling the beans about the partisan interference by the office of N.C. State Auditor Boliek. In fact, since the legislative majority assigned oversight of elections to the partisan auditor, in a departure from 125-year-practice of oversight by the governor, the N.C. State Board of Elections thus created has been plagued by scandal and controversy. Karma? It was pretty sneaky of the majority to hide this partisan switch in that Hurricane Helene Relief Bill.
Bottom line… Read enough factual information from enough reputable sources and you might just agree that currently only one side seems to be placing obstacles in front of everyday folks of all party persuasions who just want to vote this fall. You might even find that elusive “common ground” that crosses party lines that many of us mourn for these days.
Finally… Join me. Make your public comment. Whether 1776 or today, let’s honor our founding fathers and mothers and expand voting access in Rowan County by advocating for Plan C. I think our forefathers might agree that standing strong for all Rowan citizens to not only vote, but to be able to easily cast their vote in a world that looks very different in 2026, is a sacred duty today’s citizens owe those who came before.
“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.
