Since no consensus could be reached, the decision governing our voting days will now be made at the state level. And if you’ve been following the legislative news, you know that the grab for power at the state level now means a partisan state Board of Elections will determine local election matters. So much for the belief in small government and working across the aisle.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, I witnessed voter suppression in action right here in Rowan County when our county Board of Elections met to determine the early voting plan for the 2025 mid-term elections. Over 50 interested citizens attended this meeting, with at least 15 people speaking in support of Plan C.

Under N.C. Election Law, a minimum of 13 voting days (including one Saturday) must be offered in any plan. Plan A was the minimum, Plan B offered 14 days (including two Saturdays), Plan C offered 15 days (including two Saturdays and one Sunday) and Plan D offered 17 days (including three Saturdays and one Sunday). Keep in mind Early Voting occurs at just one site in Rowan County, the Rowan County Board of Elections at the West End Plaza. There was a consistent attempt by some members of the board to cut weekday voting hours seemingly in exchange for keeping a Sunday in the plan. I may be dreaming but it has always been my wish that this board would 1) be in favor of a generous plan to make available opportunities for Rowan County citizens to cast their votes and 2) to make decisions at the local level that benefit the citizens of this county. Wrong!

Since no consensus could be reached, the decision governing our voting days will now be made at the state level. And if you’ve been following the legislative news, you know that the grab for power at the state level now means a partisan state Board of Elections will determine local election matters. So much for the belief in small government and working across the aisle.

Beth Foreman