Poll Observers Denied Parking Because they "are not voters." Find out if this is happening in your county.

Action Alert! Make sure you are not denied parking space. Please notify NCEIT either way. Is this a one county problem or is it across the state? This is once again, the NCSBE

The background.

At 2PM on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Summer Heatherly,  Henderson County Board of Elections Director, held a meeting with Poll Observers at the Henderson Count Board of Elections Office at 75 E. Central Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. There were approximately 40 in attendance.  It was at that time that we learned that Ms. Heatherly was denying Poll Observers parking access at O’Reilly’s. (Voters from O'Reilly's have to be golf carted to the BOE One Stop, the ONLY early voting site in the county.) She said only voters could park at the location. Instead, we were directed to contact businesses on the dangerous four lane Spaetenburg Highway and ask for permission to park.  And of course, the problem remains how to get from the 'business' to the BOE.)

The reason for parking space denial is that Poll Observerss are not voters. The only obligation the BOE has is to povide parking for voters. Poll Observers are voters just like those electioneering are voters yet they are allowed parking and trransportation to the BOE One Stop.

Not only is this a gross disrespect and inconsiderstion for poll observers (average age of 70) whose only job it is to assure that the elections are conducted according to law and with full transparency, but it is against Federal Law 18 U.S. Code § 245 - Federally protected activities to interfere with a poll watcher’s  job. This is total disregard for the Federal law and disrespect for the work we do.  It is a deliberate move to discourage poll observers from performing their duties by making it very difficult to get to the one stop and obviously making it as hard and dangerous as possible to get there.

I wrote a letter of complaint to the Henderson County Commissioners who referred it to the county attorney. As of this writing, I've heard nothing. I will keep you posted. In the meantime, you need to contact your local BOE office and inquire about parking for poll observers.