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RALEIGH — Voters would have fewer days to cast their ballots during early voting under a bill the state House gave tentative approval Thursday.

House lawmakers must vote again Monday before sending the measure to the Senate.

Under current law, the early voting period runs 17 days, beginning the third Thursday before an election and ending the Saturday before. This measure would cut that time to 10 days, starting on the second Thursday before an election.

“It will save the local governments money,” said Rep. Bert Jones, an unaffiliated lawmaker from Reidsville who caucuses with Republicans.

Jones, the bill’s sponsor, said local boards of elections wouldn’t have to pay as much for poll workers and early voting sites if the early voting period were reduced.

“Wrong,” Guilford County Elections Director George Gilbert said when asked about Jones’ claim.

Gilbert said the county adjusts staffing and the number of early voting locations available based on expected turnout.

“I’ve got to meet the demand of voters,” he said.

Cutting down the days available for early voting won’t cut down the demand for early voting. In 2008, Gilbert said, more than 150,000 people voted early in Guilford County.

Gilbert said cutting the number of days available, especially in a presidential election year such as 2012, could lead the county Board of Elections to open more early voting locations, which would mean hiring more staff, putting out more machines, paying more rent and driving up costs in other ways.

Jones also argued that a shorter voting period would benefit some candidates.

The extended early voting period makes campaigning hard on candidates who have not raised as much money, he argued.

But other lawmakers argued that early voting favors well-organized, if not well-funded, candidates. And, bill opponents argued, a longer early voting period gives people juggling jobs and family more time to vote.

The bill “creates a problem for those people who need the weekend to vote,” said Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat.

She said programs such as “Souls to the Polls,” which encourages church members to vote, have helped increase turnout.

A shorter early voting period also means less time for procrastinators. Under current law, most voters must register at least 25 days prior to an election. But those who miss the deadline can register and vote on the same day during the early voting period — something not available on Election Day.

“It makes me wonder if there are other reasons for shortening the early voting period,” said the Rev. Cardes Brown, president of the Greensboro branch of the NAACP. “It will reduce the turnout of those looking for an opportunity to vote.”

Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat, said the bill may not pass muster with the U.S. Justice Department, which must clear changes to election laws due to the federal Voting Rights Act.

The 61-53 vote was mainly along party lines. However, Rep. John Faircloth of High Point was one of three Republicans to buck his party and vote against the bill.

“I just think we ought to give people as much time to vote as we can,” Faircloth said.

Reps. Alma Adams, Pricey Harrison and Maggie Jeffus, of Greensboro, and Marcus Brandon of High Point, all Democrats, voted against the bill. Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican, voted for the bill.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com