The Pitt County Board of Elections Ignores Common Sense

On July 24, the Pitt County Board of Elections gave the green light to "Organizing for America" to push its brand of "community organizing" in Pitt County for this November's election by approving Sunday voting. Both OAF and Betsy Leech of the Democratic Party made a request to the Board for a 2-Sunday addition to early voting so that members of black churches can conveniently take advantage of church buses and vote en mass after service. Because the vote wasn't unanimous, the Sunday-voting plan must go to the Democratic panel of lawyers that comprise the State Board of Elections on August 7 for approval. Gee, wonder how they will vote.

Those in favor of Sunday voting claimed that Monday thru Saturday were not sufficient enough. They said that without Sunday voting, they would be disenfranchised, even though there wasn't even an early voting period at all in Pitt County prior to 2000. Opponents talked about the extent of the early voting period, the additional cost to taxpayers, the burden to poll workers (4 straight weeks without a day off), and the hostility of the plan to religious concerns.

The bottom line is that the plan advances the interests of a political party and not the interests of the majority of voters. Furthermore, the existing early-voting period, which provides extended hours at convenient locations for 2 1/2 weeks and allows 60 days for anyone to submit an absentee ballot, is an inclusive, neutral accommodation for ALL voters. It is more than enough of an opportunity to get out and vote. It is more than accommodating. Anyone who is truly committed to exercising their right to vote will do so and will find the time and opportunity.

The Board ignored the legitimate concerns of the majority who opposed Sunday voting and instead endorsed a political agenda.

Diane Rufino, Greenville