NC State Board of Elections

Sossamon Files Protests To Results Of Nov. 5 Election As Recount Continues

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has filed protests with the Vance and Granville elections boards, citing that, at least in Vance County, votes were counted when, for a variety of reasons, they shouldn’t have been.

In an emergency meeting of the N.C. State Board of Elections, Sossamon was among four candidates from across the state whose protests were considered for review.

The three irregularities Sossamon is citing about the election results include:

  • counting ballots of voters who died before the Nov. 5 election;
  • incomplete voter registration information;
  • overseas voters whose ballots should not have been counted because they have not lived in the state

 

According to Paul Cox, general counsel of the state board of elections, Sossamon filed protests with Vance County and with Granville County. WIZS News has received a copy of the 4-page letter and three different letters of protest to Vance County on Wednesday afternoon from Phil Strach, Sossamon’s attorney with the law firm Nelson Mullins of Raleigh.

Among the documents accompanying the protest about incomplete information is a 7-page spreadsheet containing the names of inf more than 250 individuals in Vance County who needed to provide additional information to confirm voter registration – information like a driver’s license and the last 4 digits of a social security number.

WIZS News has asked the Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette for information about the protests received in her office; we will update this news story when that information is available.

The state board adopted a draft proposal that basically states a county’s board of elections will be the first line of defense for the protests that are “fact-dependent,” leaving the state board to consider other types of protests to maintain uniformity and consistency across the state’s 100 counties.

“Right now, we’re just asking the counties to make a factual determination…to do a data analysis,” Hirsch told the board.

Protestors have by close of business Wednesday, Nov. 27 to file legal briefs; respondents – the other candidate in the four contests – must submit their briefs by close of business on Friday, Dec. 6.

The protest filings add yet another wrinkle to an already complicated and drawn-out process, now more than two weeks after the Nov. 5 general election. Sossamon currently trails challenger Bryan Cohn by 233 votes, but the protests bring into question the vote totals.

With the state canvass set for Tuesday, the board agreed Wednesday that the certification of statewide election results would take place – except for those with a pending recount, including the District 32 House seat that Sossamon currently holds.

As part of the county canvass process, the state generated lists sent out to county boards of elections as part of the review process to remove any ballots with irregularities – ballots cast by felons; ballots cast by voters who died before the Nov. 5 election date; and voters who had their registration denied or removed.

The state board will consider the other three categories of protests  – registered voters who are challenging eligibility, overseas or military ballots cast by a U.S. citizen and military/overseas citizen voters using absentee process to cast ballots without providing a photo ID –

in an effort to keep uniform and consistent the interpretation of election law across the state.

TownTalk: NC House 32 Contest Update

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Vance and Granville counties are in the middle of a recount in the too-close-to-call contest for House District 32, which has Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn leading incumbent Republican Frank Sossamon by 233 votes.

Cohn led by 185 votes on Nov. 5, but that number grew to 233 following the Nov. 15 canvass to include provisional and absentee ballots.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said Tuesday her team would begin the recount process at 8:30 this morning (Wednesday); information from the N.C. Board of Elections indicated that the Granville County recount would commence at 12 noon today, with an estimated time of 1-2 days for completion.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Cohn said he was pleased with the overall process and said he has been pleased with the way both counties’ boards of elections have handled things.

“Given all the changes this year, staffing issues, all the normal hurdles…I could be more pleased with the effort they’ve put into this election cycle,” he said.

“You find out who you are as a person,” Cohn notes, “going through a highly competitive and highly scrutinized campaign like Frank and I went through.”

Cohn commended his campaign staff for knowing exactly what needed to be done, a heavy focus on the city of Oxford – where Cohn is a city commissioner – as well as Creedmoor, Butner and all of Vance County that sits within the boundaries of District 32.

Through outreach, engagement and “good old-fashioned door knocking,” Cohn said he was able to get his message to constituents.

The Republican majority in the House hangs in the balance, pending the outcome of this contest, but Cohn said he is focused on “governing from the middle.”

“The (Democratic) Party has to tack back toward the center because that’s where the bulk of the American people and North Carolinians are at – they’re more centrist than partisan on one side or the other,” he said.

“We have to co-govern with our GOP colleagues and find common ground,” he said, adding that if he goes to Raleigh to represent District 32, he’ll focus on “governing from a place of mutual understanding and try to work together, as opposed to throwing roadblocks.”

In his role as a city commissioner, Cohn said he has a new-found understanding of “how much we can’t do at the local level.” Municipalities have less and less control over things like zoning and planning, he said. Those changes have to come at the state level, he said. “In order to advance the things that we need in Vance County and in Granville County with infrastructure upgrades, we need to have more representation at the state level in order to get some of those initiatives passed if we want to continue to grow in both counties.”

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VGCC Logo

VGCC Drama Dept. Opens “Agnes Of God” Thursday For Weekend Run

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

VGCC Drama returns to the stage Thursday with a three-member cast performing “Agnes of God,” the award-winning 1979 play by John Pielmeier.

Vance-Granville students Saylor Gray, JayAnn Gupton and KB Wiggs make up the all-female cast who take the stage for four performances. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The story is about a young novice, Agnes, who has been accused of killing her newborn child. A court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Martha Livingstone, is summoned to the convent to assess the young woman’s sanity. Miriam Ruth, the Mother Superior, determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.

Because of the adult themes and language, the performance is suggested for audience members 16 and older or children accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Tickets for “Agnes of God” are on sale now. The cost is $20 General Admission, $15 for Seniors/Military, and $10 for Students and VGCC Faculty/Staff.

Purchase tickets online at www.vgcc.edu/vgcc-drama-agnes-of-god.

Headed to the opening night show? Stay afterward to participate in a “talkback” discussion led by VGCC psychology instructor Dr. Kristie Polk.

All shows will take place in the Small Auditorium on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson. The venue is located on the lower level of Building 2 (Room #2105), which is accessible from the campus’s central courtyard.

Some audience members may be triggered by content such as abuse, religion, death, and use of cigarettes. Disclaimer: the theatrical cigarettes used in the production contain no harmful ingredients for either the audience of the actors.

VGCC Drama presents “Agnes of God” by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

To learn more VGCC Drama or Fine Arts at Vance-Granville Community College, contact Betsy Henderson, Department Chair of Fine Arts & Humanities, at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252. 738.3371.

Henderson Police Make Arrest Following Attempted Traffic Stop

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From the Henderson Police Department and Captain Chris Ball and Chief Marcus Barrow

According to information from the Henderson Police Department Tuesday afternoon,  a Henderson police officer attempted to  stop a Jeep Cherokee on South William Street on Sunday, Nov. 10 at about 1:30 p.m. The vehicle failed to stop and was pursued to Norvell Street and East Andrews Avenue, at which time the front-seat passenger exited the vehicle and ran down Andrews Avenue.

The driver, identified as Djhante Blash, 22, of 1722 Lynn Ave., Henderson, continued onto Andrews Avenue before stopping at the Wash House, located at 604 E. Andrews Ave.

Police recovered a firearm from the vehicle, and Blash was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. He was also charged with felony flee to elude. He received no bond due to pre-trial release. The arrest report also lists additional traffic charges.

North Henderson Baptist

North Henderson Baptist Church In 20th Year Of Support For Operation Christmas Child

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North Henderson Baptist Church is celebrating 20 years of being a local drop-off site for the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ministry.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, which send the showbox-sized packages to children across the globe each Christmas.

Church members began collecting the packed boxes on Monday when the Naitonal Collection Week began, and they’ll continue through Monday, Nov. 25.

North Henderson Baptist Church is located at 1121 N. Garnett St.

  • Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 21 – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 22 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 23 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 24 – 12 noon to 5 p.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 25 – 10 a.m. to 12 noon

There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

Participants can use the online lookup tool to find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. It is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop off.

 

For more information, call 704.583.1463, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Items to Buy and Sell

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CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US YOUR ITEMS

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS ~ YOUR COMMUNITY VOICE

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Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

  • Two-piece sectional. Two leather Wingback chairs. 2007 Honda Accord. For more informati0n call (252) 767-4997.

Monday, November 18th, 2024

  • A free Everett Piano in good condition looking to give away. Contact (252) 492-7570 or mossnorlina@aol.com for more information.
  • Very large rocker lounge chair for sale, $300. A sewing machine in working condition. An early 1900s Grandfather clock. (252) 572-2642.
  • Drive on boat trailer, 18 feet and 3 inches long, with tilt bed. $300 negotiable. (252) 213-1697.

Monday, November 11th, 2024

  • Looking for a utility trailer for sale, reasonable price. Contact (919) 339-8198 or perrycarolyn0723@gmail.com for more information.

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

  • Wall mirror still with tags on it, cart for kitchen, like wine cart and a matching wooden tower with shelves. Call for pricing at (252) 432-0086.

Friday, October 31, 2024

  • Looking for suitcase. For more information call (252) 767-2369 or email ethomerson913@gmail.com.

Friday, October 25, 2024

  • 2 15” Rockville k9 series subwoofers in ported box for $250. For more information call (252) 425-5283 or email cfuqua1989@gmail.com.

WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 11-19-24 Noon

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For additional coverage about Frank Sossamon asking for a recount, please also review our other web post about this story linked here – TownTalk: Sossamon Calls For Recount – WIZS

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TownTalk: Sossamon Calls For Recount

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Vance and Granville counties will conduct a recount in the too-close-to-call contest for House District 32, which has Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn leading Republican incumbent Frank Sossamon by 233 votes.

Because that margin is less than 1 percent of the voting totals – .53 percent, to be precise – the challenger (in this case, Sossamon) was entitled to ask for a recount by 12 noon today. Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles told WIZS News Tuesday that she received a notification of the recount from Raleigh shortly before 11:30 a.m.

Sossamon spoke with WIZS News this morning as he was waiting for the General Assembly to convene and confirmed that he would be seeking a recount.

“It hasn’t been filed, but it will be filed before 12,” Sossamon said by phone shortly before 11 a.m. He said he’d waited until now to let the process play out, which included the Nov. 15 canvass and certifying and counting provisional and absentee ballots.

“A lot of elections are cut-and-dry,” he said. “Close elections are different…and there are options that candidates have,” including filing protests if there are “anomalies,” and filing a lawsuit.

Rawles said Vance County elections officials will begin the recount at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 for two races – the District 32 contest and a statewide recount for a seat on the N.C. Supreme Court between sitting Justice Allison Riggs and Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin.

Rawles expects the recounts to take the majority of the day to complete, if not longer.

WIZS News reached out to Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette Tuesday afternoon to find out when the recount would begin in that county and we will update the story if that information becomes available.

In a concise letter sent via email to N.C. State Board of Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell, Sossamon requested the recount.

It reads:

Executive Director Brinson Bell,

As a candidate for North Carolina House District 32 in the 2024 General Election, I her3eby submit my written demand for a mandatory recount pursuant to the N.C. Gen. Stat. 163-182.7(c) and 163-182.4(b)(3). Please confirm receipt of this timely written demand at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Frank Sossamon

Sossamon expressed frustration when it came to finding out what his options were regarding a recount and said he felt voters weren’t adequately inform about redrawn district lines that removed a portion of Vance County from District 32.

Nobody said “Mr. Sossamon, you can call for a recount,” Sossamon said. “I had to find that out for myself – I find that quite alarming.”

Sossamon also said he was concerned to learn that voters in Vance County showed up to vote and noticed that the District 32 race wasn’t on their ballot.

“They were thinking they could vote for me, but I wasn’t on their ballot,” he said, adding that “people who are already skeptical of the voting system are getting even more skeptical.”

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Cohn said he was pleased with the overall process but acknowledged that the campaign was “long and expensive, and, at times, a rather dirty campaign. I don’t think anybody is happy about any of that.”

(This text and story developed more after the embedded audio below.)

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library

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So far, Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters has resisted the urge to get the library festooned in red and green for that big December holiday – she said she wants Thanksgiving and Native Peoples Month to have their moments to shine, too.

In fact, next Tuesday afternoon’s activity will feature a story celebrating Native Peoples Month. Participants will surely enjoy the associated craft activity – making “corn” using pipe cleaners and beads.

Once Thanksgiving has come and gone, the library will surely shift its attention to December when thoughts turn to snowflakes and gingerbread men and Christmas decorations.

Peters invites folks of all ages to come out on the first official day of winter to the library’s “Winter Celebration” on Saturday, Dec. 21. Activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include make-and-take crafts for all ages, from kiddos and teens to adults.

And bring your photo-taking device to snap some family selfies in front of a beautiful holiday backdrop, she said.

There are plenty of activities before Dec. 21 to enjoy, too, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

For starters, there’s Pajama Story Time on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Then on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., bring the family to watch the film Polar Express while sipping hot chocolate and nibbling sweet treats.

Youngsters will enjoy hunting for hidden gingerbread people cookies around the library. No, they’re not edible – these are made of felt – but Peters said the children enjoyed looking for them hidden throughout the library.

Sometimes, you’ll find Peters or other library staff out in the community, too.

Visit the Vance County Regional Farmers Market on Saturday, Dec. 7 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a special Market Story Time, which may include decorating some gingerbread cookies that ARE edible, Peters said.

And then later that afternoon, the library will have a float commemorating its 100 year-anniversary in the Henderson Christmas Parade, which begins at 3 p.m.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn about all the programs and services the library offers.

 

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