Catawba County News
Catawba County 101
Published: August 04, 2025
MAKING. LIVING. BETTER: Board of Elections
What is its mission/purpose?
The Catawba County Board of Election is committed to efficiently conducting fair, honest, and impartial elections so that all qualified Catawba County citizens may exercise their right to vote.
How do you achieve your mission – what services are offered?
The Catawba County Board of Elections works in conjunction with the State Board of Elections office to ensure that elections are conducted lawfully and fairly. The office conducts local elections, operates voting sites, maintains voter registration lists and handles numerous aspects of election administration.
Who does this department serve?
Catawba County Board of Elections serves all eligible voters in Catawba County.
How and where are services delivered?
During an election:
- Up to 5 Early Voting polling locations are set up (for 17 days)
- 40 Election Day precinct polling sites are opened for countywide elections
- Absentee-by-mail ballots begin mailing up to 60 days before an election
- Mandatory poll worker training is conducted for all election officials
Throughout the year, the Elections office:
- Registers voters and updates voter information
- Provides voter photo IDs, when requested
- Removes convicted felons and deceased voters
- Files candidates for upcoming elections
- Audits campaign finance reports
- Maintains the voter registration database and mapping database
- Secures and maintains voting equipment and precinct supplies
How many staff members are involved in delivering services?
A Board consisting of 5 appointed members oversees the functions of the county elections office and chooses the director, who is appointed by the NC State Board of Elections, to handle all related duties. The office is made up of 4 full-time staff members. During an election cycle, 5 temporary part-time employees are added to the office. For a significant federal election, 350-400 compensated election officials are required to staff the 40 polling locations and 5 early voting sites. A considerable number of these individuals are county employees!
How does our community and/or organization benefit from these services?
Our department conducts the election that enables voters to select individuals who resonate with their values and priorities. Voting guarantees that communities have a voice in selecting the representatives who will serve them at both local and state levels.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
County employees are the most effective poll workers. Trained poll workers are designated to a precinct’s polling location and are required to remain there throughout the day, from 6 am until approximately 8 pm. These workers receive a fixed compensation for their services.
During Early Voting in even-numbered years, the office recruits’ workers for the Early Voting locations. The role is divided into shifts: Morning, Afternoon, Lunchtime, and Weekend. Many county employees prefer to work the weekend shift (which includes 3 Saturdays and 2 Sundays for each major election)-this shift offers an hourly wage. For each election cycle, Early Voting workers are obligated to participate in a precinct training session as well as an Early Voting worker training class.