ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Board of Elections approved an extensive list of assistant poll workers for the May 17 primary on Tuesday without any dissensions.

Each polling site in Bladen County will have two assistants, one from each political party.

According to BOE Director Chris Williams, approval of the assistants list had to be unanimous since there were two nominees from the Republican Party and one nominee from the Democratic Party who were nominated to serve in precincts where they did not reside.

He also said the list of assistant candidates from both parties had been exhausted and that State Board Attorney Paul Cox had advised that if the board could not agree unanimously the election would have to be held without assistants.

Following a brief discussion, the list of assistants was approved by the board, 5-0.

Thosee appointed as assistants were …

— Abbotts: Iris Martin and Jamie Eaton

— Bethel: Allie Regans and Sandra Arrufat

— Bladenboro No. 1: Pamela Cain and Joanne Rogers

— Bladenboro No. 2: Catherine Cartier and Belinda Caulder

— Brown Marsh: Janice Blanks and Nancy Blackburn

— Carvers Creek: Darlene Bowen and Doris Davis

— Central: Pamela Melvin and Candace Bernini

— Colly: Pauline Johnson and Mary Byerly

— Cypress Creek: Mitchell McDonald and Tammy Bennett

— Elizabethtown No. 1: Rosalind Daniel and Cathy Price

— Elizabethtown No. 2: Charles Gause and Steven Bernini

— Frenches Creek: Diane Peterson and Bobbie Ann Jones

— Hollow: Angela Guions and Regina Thompson

— Lake Creek: Carolyn Denkins and Jennifer Beyer

— Turnbull: Tameika Strider and Deanna Anders

— Whites Creek: Jacqueline Hilliard and Tammy Campbell

— White Oak: Tarchanna McDonald and Angel Cole

In other business Tuesday, the board learned of the resignation of Matthew Cromartie as polling site judge at Elizabethtown No. 1, and the Democratic Party nominate Ralph Hines to take his place. A motion was made, seconded and a unanimous vote followed.

Also on Tuesday …

— Williams told the board that none of the five absentee ballots sent out had been returned. Those ballots are due by May 17.

— Williams requested that the Democratic and Republican party chairs submit three names to serve as emergency replacement assistants for Election Day. The Democratic Party nominated Marilyn Munn, Wanda Daniels and Emily Coble. The Republican Party was to submit three names this week.

— Williams stated that he needed a Republican to serve on the MATS (multipartisan assistance) team. Two Democrats and one Republican have already agreed to serve. They are Agnes Willis, Elizabeth Hayes and Jessica Taylor.

— Democratic Party Chair Rev. Larry Hayes addressed the board to request that the board make arrangements to procure additional space at the elections office to allow electioneers to set up tents for early voting. After some discussion, the board members agreed that his request would best be made to the county commissioners.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or [email protected].