title
Resolution in Support of Additional Early Voting Locations
body
|
Department: |
City Attorney |
Meeting Date: |
8/5/2025 |
|
Contact Name: |
Meredith T. Everhart |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910-341-7820 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Mayor’s Letter |
PURPOSE:
This resolution is brought at the request of Councilmember Salette Andrews, with the support of all members of City Council. The purpose of this resolution is to reinforce to the New Hanover County Board of Elections (“BOE”) that the City desires and support the reinstatement of all three previously used early voting locations for the 2025 elections.
BACKGROUND:
The current BOE early voting schedule only includes one early voting location in New Hanover County for the 2025 elections, and that location is at New Hanover County’s Northeast Regional Library. This resolution would be sent as additional reinforcement to the letter sent to the BOE on July 20, 2025, by the Mayor on behalf of the Wilmington City Council in support of additional early voting locations, and specifically a location in downtown Wilmington, in order to address the needs of voters in other areas of the county who may not have transportation or other means to get to the library location to vote early.
The City has allocated certain funds in the FY26 budget for the purpose of supporting the 2025 municipal elections. This resolution would also ask the BOE to engage with the City Manager as soon as possible in order to determine whether already allocated City resources, either monetary or otherwise, including a possible early voting site at the Skyline Center, could facilitate the opening of additional locations for early voting.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budgetary impact from this resolution. If funds are needed to support additional early voting locations, necessary budget items would be presented to Council at a later date.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff has no recommendation, as this item is being brought forth at the request of Councilmember Andrews and all members of City Council.