Haywood County secures voting equipment ahead of record turnout Tuesday
Officials report 35% higher early voting participation and are deploying backup systems to manage expected crowds.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Western North Carolina election officials are finalizing logistics for Tuesday's general election following a surge in early voting participation. Turnout in the region has risen by more than 35% compared to previous cycles, prompting agencies to adjust their operational plans for high-volume days.
Haywood County Elections Director Robbie Inman confirmed that voting machines have been tested and stored in a locked warehouse. The equipment is currently being staged for delivery to 29 polling locations across the county. Inman stated that each step of the voting process is documented to maintain security and traceability.
Ballot tracking relies on a system where every ballot is linked to a specific voter application. Inman explained that these documents carry a unique numerical identifier that corresponds to the physical ballot. This method allows officials to verify that every step of the process is recorded and accounted for.
Statewide, the North Carolina State Board of Elections reported no challenges during the early voting period. Jason Tyson, a spokesperson for the state board, said that all counties have contingency plans, referred to as plan Bs, for various scenarios. These preparations include having generators available for power outages and backup tabulators ready if voting equipment malfunctions.
In neighboring Buncombe County, Elections Director Corinne Duncan noted that 600 workers will be stationed at polling places on Election Day. Duncan emphasized that the staffing model utilizes bipartisan teams at each location to oversee the process.
Election officials also perform nightly audits of early voting records. These audits involve matching voter authorization forms with ballots and verifying the data against computer records and tabulators. Early voting concludes at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Following the close of early voting, equipment will be returned to secure storage before being transported to active polling locations. The final preparations ensure that all hardware and personnel are ready for Tuesday's election.
