Vance County Board of Commissioners candidate Kelly Wade Perdue said she has filed an appeal with the N.C. State Board of Elections following a decision earlier Thursday about her residency in the district in which she filed. Perdue told WIZS News late Thursday afternoon that she will be notified about a future hearing date after the next board meeting.
District 4 Commissioner Dan Brummitt filed a residency challenge on Jan. 8 during the filing period for the March 3 primary. That assertion was upheld in a 4-1 vote by the panel that heard evidence and statements by both individuals. The Vance County Board of Elections served as the panel hearing the matter; it concluded that Perdue had not proved her case concerning her residency.
Shortly after the hearing ended, Perdue told WIZS News that she had already begun completing the necessary paperwork.
Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles confirmed that Perdue can appeal the matter to the state board of elections.
The Vance County Board of Elections served as the panel for the challenge hearing, which began at 10 a.m. in the commissioners’ conference room. The vote was 4-1 that Perdue had not presented sufficient evidence to support that her residence is within District 4.
In Brummitt’s closing remarks, he said he had initiated the challenge after hearing from constituents that Perdue lived elsewhere.
Perdue contended that she is in the process of building a new home in the Watkins community, which is in District 4. She maintained that she owns several properties in District 4, one of which is the site of her future home.
The meeting lasted more than 90 minutes, following a formal process of the challenged candidate – Perdue – and the challenger – Brummitt – presenting opening statements, followed by presentation of evidence and cross-examination. After the presentations, the panel deliberated and the meeting concluded with the 4-1 vote in favor of the challenger.
