Chairman's Notes

July 13, 2010

Cumberland County Board of Elections

Statement by Suzanne Rucker, Cumberland County Republican Party Chairman

Early voting has proven to be very expensive for the taxpayers of Cumberland County. At a cost of $7 per voter in the recent primary – with relatively few voters going to the polls – there is a better way to cut costs and serve the voters.

With the exception of 2008, early voting in the general election in recent years has been less than expected and costly in terms of human and other resources. So much so, the Board of Elections has already decided not to open the Spring Lake site for early voting beginning October 14 or to have Sunday voting.

The Cumberland County Republican Party believes that one site – the Board of Elections – is the only site which should be open for the upcoming 2010 early voting period. The savings to the taxpayers could be spent for other needed services.

We want, however, to assist the voters in every possible way as well as making early voting cost effective. With this in mind, the Cumberland County Republican Party proposes that three locations be open for the early voting period leading up to the 2010 General Election Day November 2nd: the Board of Elections, the Hope Mills Recreation Center and the North Regional Library. To have more than three locations open is an unnecessary expenditure of tax payer dollars at a time when our county government and Board of Elections needs to tighten their belts – as are Cumberland County families who find it necessary to trim their budgets.

The argument could be made that this would create a hardship for voters. Regardless of the number of polling places open, the voter would have to get to the polls somehow either by car, bus or by requesting an absentee ballot. A person who wants to vote early will, in short, find a way to get to the polls regardless of the location.

June 9, 2010
Letter to the Editor
Fayetteville Observer

No rift between GOP women's groups

My thanks to The Fayetteville Observer for the profile it did on me May 30 ("GOP leader a lightning rod for controversy"). Like everyone in politics, I know making everyone happy is impossible, so I knew it wouldn't be a powder puff piece.

Many people have contacted me about the article. Most have been supportive of me and the Cumberland County Republican Party. For that, I'm appreciative.

The county GOP has come a long way in one year. We've held two hugely successful public events - one with a turnout of 320 people on a snowy, cold February day. We're in good financial standing. We have a slate of outstanding candidates - more than we've ever had.

Do I have any regrets about the article?

One.

The most often repeated question posed by others concerns the purported rift between the two GOP women's clubs.

The elected leadership of the Cumberland County Republican Women's Club and the Fayetteville Republican Women's Club are working together. The two clubs include members from one another's club. We attend one another's meetings and are supportive of one another's activities. Last year, I was a sponsor of an FRWC event and have attended one of their fundraising activities this year. The two clubs are considering a joint fundraising event. Both support county GOP efforts.

As GOP chairman, I am proud of the achievements of both women's groups. Having day and night clubs increases the number of people actively participating in the GOP - that's a good thing!

Suzanne Rucker, chairman, Cumberland County GOP