RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's elections chief says a bill to shorten the early voting period likely would result in longer lines at polling sites and make elections more expensive.
Elections Board Executive Director Gary Bartlett wrote in a memo to board members the legislation could lead counties to spend more because of additional absentee ballots and the need to open more precincts on Election Day.
Bartlett's memo contrasts with a General Assembly staff report that suggests counties would spend about $2,000 less for each early voting site if the period were reduced a week.
Bartlett sent the memo shortly after the House narrowly passed the bill Wednesday. It's now in the Senate.
The Charlotte Observer first reported on the memo for Thursday's newspapers.
