LAURINBURG — More than 3,000 voters in Precinct 4 will have to find a new polling place to call home now that the National Guard Armory is closed indefinitely to the public.
The Scotland County Board of Elections met Monday afternoon to discuss a suitable location for the 3,447 voters of Precinct 4. Officials with the North Carolina National Guard said that no airborne lead had been found at the National Guard Armory at 1520 S Main St, but that traces of lead were found on surfaces. Members of the National Guard will still work onsite.
One of the picks as a replacement polling place is South Scotland Fire Station, located behind the armory.
Dell Parker, Scotland County Board of Elections director, said she has spoken with Laurinburg City Manager Charles Nichols, about using the fire station for the upcoming election. The City Council would have to approve use of the facility.
Parker said under state law any building, and organization that receives government funding is required to allow the board of elections to use its facilities for voting purposes.
Elections officials are also looking at spaces at St. Andrews University, Sycamore Lane Elementary, and a couple local churches, however, no communications have occurred between the board and anyone other than the city.
“I would like to drive by the locations and check them out to see the space and parking availability,” said Hal Culberson, Scotland County Board of Elections chair.
The board also said they want to stay away from placing a voting precinct in a church because of church’state seperation issues.
In other business, the board also reviewed the state elections and ethics board merger, which was blocked by the North Carolina Court of Appeals in March.
The law would have changed the current board of elections model from a three-person to a four-person board. But because it was struck down, one of the Republican members will have to go. Local election boards are made up of three people — two members of the current governor’s party and one of the opposing party. Currently, Scotland county has two Republicans and one Democrat, but that will change on July 18.
The Scotland County Republican and Democratic chairs have until June 12 to submit their three choices to board of elections. The state board of elections will announce the newly appointed board members on July 11, and those selected will be sworn in on July 18.
“It will be sad this year because we will be losing someone from the board,” Parker said. “We have formed friendships over the years working with each other.”
