TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) – The polls will stay open until nearly 9:30 p.m. at a polling location in Tabor City, after a worker failed to pick up a box of ballots at the board of elections office and caused a delay Tuesday morning.

The incident only affected voters assigned to Precinct 26B (South Williams) at the Tabor City Courthouse on West 4th Street.

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According to Columbus County Board of Elections Director Carla Strickland, there were two sets of ballots designated for the South Williams precinct.

One set was for residents who live inside the Tabor City limits which included a referendum concerning mixed beverages. The second set was for residents who live outside the city limits and are not eligible to vote on referendum item.

When the chief judge who oversees the South Williams precinct was made aware of the missing box of ballots, notification was made to the board of elections office to send them immediately.

Due to the delay, Strickland said her office drafted a resolution requesting that voting at the precinct be extended by two hours today.

The formal request was sent to the North Carolina Board of Elections office.

The State Board approved extending voting at that precinct for one hour and fifty minutes.