by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter

The Watauga County Board of Elections voted 2-1 in favor of setting buffer zones inside the Plemmons Student Union Oct. 23.

The zones will be set outside hallway entrances instead of outside the building’s main entrances.

Because there are so many rooms and hallways inside the student union, the vote was necessary to establish zones around polling places in order for the voting process to be as efficient as possible.

This would place polling places in specific rooms instead of in specific hallways.

“If voting took place in a hallway of the student union, it would be impossible to [moniter] all the voters,” Jane Hodges, director of the Watauga County Board of Elections, said.

Hodges said placing voting areas in specific rooms would ensure no one who is not qualified to vote would be able to “slip by.”

“This way, we can more thoroughly check each person who wants to vote,” she said.

According to state legislation, there must be limitation on activity in the voting place and in a buffer zone around it.

Because of this, the vote was controversial.

People will still be able to distribute campaign literature, advertise and solicit votes in the student union as long as it is done outside the buffer zones.

Hodges said the Board of Elections has been working hard to encourage students to exercise their right to vote.

“We especially encourage students to get out and vote early,” Hodges said.

This year’s election is the first time the student union has been a site for early voting.

Hodges said the Board of Elections would like to offer the site for early voting in subsequent years. 

“But it depends on this years’ success as to whether or not the student union will continue to be a voting site,” she said.

Chelsea C. Lundquist-Wentz, junior English and history major, thinks it is important for students to vote.

“I voted on the first day of early voting,” Lundquist-Wentz said.

Lundquist recommends students consider everything about each candidate before voting.

Kathy L. Lidol, employee of the Board of Elections, works at one of the polling places in the student union.

“We have to make sure every voter is registered or pre-registered and is in our computer system,” Lidol said. “Then, we have to make sure their information is correct.”

Lidol said she was amazed at the turnout and pleased by the attitudes of the students who come by.

“They’re all very cooperative and excited for their voice to be heard,” Lidol said. 

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