Please attend the Wednesday, July 8, meeting of the Rowan County Board of Elections at 12:30 pm at the Rowan Community Center, 1935 Jake Alexander Boulevard W. Salisbury, 704-216-8140.  We will gather to advocate for additional Saturdays and Sundays to be added to the Rowan Early Voting calendar for ALL voters to be used this fall for the 2026 General Election. Arrive early and consider wearing patriotic colors. 

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Eliminating weekend voting options means that many people may lose out on the opportunity to vote.

• Rowan County voters rely on early voting, and particularly on voting on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Many folks are unable to shift their schedules to accommodate only one day of weekend voting.
• Black and young voters will be affected by this decision more acutely.
• A more accessible plan, with more days of early voting and more weekend days, is what the people of Rowan County need.

BACKGROUND: 

In a June 10 meeting with only 15 minutes of public comment, the Rowan County Board of Elections could not reach a consensus on the number of early voting days this fall, voting 3 to 2 to reduce the number of days to 13 and only providing one Saturday of early voting. This would represent a reduction from 17 days in 2024, with 3 Saturdays and 2 Sundays, and 15 days in 2022, with 2 Saturdays and 1 Sunday. Unexpectedly—hopefully in response to a local outcry—the Board announced on July 1 that it would hold a Special Meeting on July 8 at 12:30 PM “to vote on the Early Voting Plan for the 2026 General Election.” Unless the County Board of Elections can reach consensus on an early voting plan, the State Board of Elections will decide the number of early voting days available to Rowan County voters. Rowan residents deserve for that decision to be made by the Rowan Board who serves the voters.

DOUBLE THE IMPACT:

Email your comments and wishes to all Election Board members at: rowan.boe@rowancountync.gov