Craven board gets ready for New Bern elections

There are 19,786 people registered to vote in the city of New Bern’s six wards and for the October  election about 100 of them live over the rivers in precincts with only a few other city voters.

On Tuesday, Craven County Board of Elections unanimously approved a resolution to temporarily to move 87 Bridgeton Precinct voters and five Brices Creek voters who live in New Bern city limits to the Fort Totten Precinct for the October municipal election.

That move still needs approval from the State Board of Elections director and the U.S. Department of Justice, said Erin Burridge, Craven elections director.  “We will notify the voters by first class mail” when and if it is approved.

The move would save a minimum of six poll workers and the other costs of setting up two polling places, she said.

“It will save the city money. They pay for their own elections.”

The board of elections plans to meet again at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 to appoint precinct judges for the precincts that will be activated for voting in New Bern’s Oct. 6 election.

Elections officials also authorized staff to proceed with applications for grants for polling place and curbside voting handicapped access as soon as all polling place needs have been identified.

Burridge said: “The board hopes to improve handicapped accessible parking, curbside alerts, door handles for those with dexterity issues, and things to aid the visually impaired so they don’t feel like it’s an impairment to come to the polls.”

New Bern Wards

Registration

Ward 1  -  2,715

Ward 2  -  2,896

Ward 3  -  4,032

Ward 4  -  3,508

Ward 5  -  2,473

Ward 6  -  4,162