ELIZABETHTOWN — The number of absentee-by-mail ballots for the Sept. 10 election has grown to 41, the Bladen County Board of Elections was told Tuesday afternoon.
Five more ballots were mailed in and approved by the board. That brings to seven the number that have been returned.
Valeria McKoy, the interim director, said there are also three military/overseas citizens abasentee voting ballots that were requested and sent out.
Those wishing to vote absentee-by-mail must turn in their completed forms by the close of business Tuesday.
The election Sept. 10 is for the state’s 9th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. It was formerly held by Robert Pittenger of Charlotte. State Sen. Dan Bishop won a 10-candidate Republican primary in May and is facing Dan McCready of the Democratic Party, Allen Smith of the Green Party and Jeff Scott of the Libertarian Party. All are from Charlotte.
The 9th includes part of Bladen County, on the northern end, and the southern end of Cumberland County. It extends to the eastern side of Mecklenburg County, with full inclusion of Union, Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Robeson counties.
In updates from the director’s office, McKoy told the board two replacements are set for elections officials on Sept. 10. The Republican Party turned in two observers for one-stop voting. And, a letter from the town of Dublin indicated work is being done on the community building so that it will be ready for elections in 2020.
The board was also provided a list of the precincts with internet connectivity.
The next meeting of the Bladen County Board of Elections is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the staff office, 301 S. Cypress St. in Elizabethtown.
