Tag Archive for: #vancecountyboardofelections

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The Local Skinny! Latest Local Election News

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Candidates who wish to file for local offices will be able to do so beginning Feb. 24, 2022 at 8 a.m., according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

The filing period resumes following a State Supreme Court ruling on newly drawn district maps. The filing period will end at 12 noon on March 4, 2022.

Any candidate who has already filed does not need to re-file, Vaughan said.

Candidates may file for the office of sheriff, the register of deeds, clerk of court and county commissioners’ seats in Districts 3,4 and 7.

Board of Education seats in districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be voted on in the next election, as will City Council Wards 3 and 4, at-large seats in Wards 1 and 2, and seats in the NC House and NC Senate.

Following is the list of filing fees:

·      Sheriff – $720.60

·      Register of Deeds – $529.56

·      Clerk of Court – $998

·      County Commissioners – $98.72

·      Board of Education – $42

·      City of Henderson – $10.00

·      NC House and NC Senate – $140

Make checks payable to Vance County Board of Elections.

Gill Set To Retire Oct. 29 After Two Decades As Vance Elections Director

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Vance County Elections Director Faye Gill has overseen many elections in her more than 20 years on the job. She’ll be passing the baton to a new director come the end of October, as she plans to retire and enjoy a little rest and relaxation.

As with most folks contemplating a well-deserved retirement, Gill said she’d been thinking about it for a couple of years, but in a more serious way since the beginning of 2021.

John C. Rose shared an appreciation for Gill, her professionalism and service to the county on Monday’s Town Talk and noted that deputy director Melody Vaughan will become the new director, effective Nov. 1.

Vaughan will waste no time getting used to her new role – Kittrell and Middleburg hold municipal elections the very next day – Nov. 2.

Henderson elections have been pushed back to early 2022, thanks to the recent release of Census data that may result in redrawing of district lines.

Rose spoke by phone with Gill and Vaughan about the job, their close relationship and how things have changed through the years.

Gill has seen the change from punch cards to electronic ballots, among other improvements. But Rose said he has always been impressed with, and appreciative of, the professionalism that she shows in doing her job.

Having access to information about candidate filings, and any changes regarding elections that need to be shared with the public is essential for media outlets, Rose said. Preparation and reporting on election night coverage does not just “happen – if you don’t have a plan, and cooperation and a good relationship” with elections officials, the job is an uphill battle.

Fortunately, there have been no uphill battles with local elections officials. Just a little good-natured “pickin’ at each other,” Rose said. After that first minute or so of exchanging little digs or jokes, there is always professionalism from both Gill and Vaughan. “When it was business time, it was business time,” he added.

Vaughan has been with the board of elections since 2013, and Rose said that the women are good friends.

They must have a close working relationship as well – literally and figuratively – they share the same office space in the Henry A. Dennis Building on Garnett Street. No doubt, Gill has modeled for Vaughan over the years how to deal with the public and how to manage a team of volunteers, which is so crucial to having a smooth elections process.

“We are one big family. We can’t do our job on election day without volunteers,” Gill told Rose.

When Rose spoke to Gill and Vaughan via telephone earlier Monday, Vaughan told him that Gill “is a really good friend and a great boss.”

As for her new role, Vaughan told Rose, “I have the confidence to do what is asked of me and I will do it to the best of my abilities.”

The last 21 years spent with the board of elections comes on top of a 27-year career working with one of the vice presidents of Rose’s Stores. Almost a half century of work, Gill told Rose she is looking forward to spending time with her family and the arrival of her first great-grandchild.

Well-wishes for a job well done, Faye Gill, from the WIZS family.

Please enjoy here this special edition TownTalk audio.

Incumbents Only Filers in Kittrell and Middleburg

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All the filers for the upcoming November 2 elections in Kittrell and Middleburg are incumbents, and they all filed this week.

When the filing period closed at noon today (Friday), the filing list included:

  • Jerry Joyner – Mayor of Kittrell
  • Susan Pulley – Town Commissioner of Kittrell
  • Mary Jo Floyd – Town Commissioner of Kittrell
  • Robert Baylor Tunstall – Town Commissioner of Kittrell

The Middleburg list included:

  • Ray Bullock – Mayor of Middleburg
  • Annie Fudge – Town Council of Middleburg
  • Mamie Turner – Town Council of Middleburg
  • Ruth Nance Town – Town Council of Middleburg

Based on the information at hand, there would appear to be no contests.  However, keep in mind Ray Bullock won as a write-in candidate in 2019 over someone who filed.  Write ins can be a factor in such small precincts.  Kittrell is and Middleburg is a complete precinct in and of itself.

In these respective municipalities within Vance County, a voter makes one choice for mayor and choses three from the list of names, or writes in a name, for commissioner/council person.  Tunstall was elected in 2019 by write in as only Pulley and Floyd had filed that year.

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Vance Co. Board of Elections to Conduct Hand-Eye Ballot Recount

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The Vance County Board of Elections will conduct a statewide hand-eye recount for all the ballots in three percent (3%) of the precincts casting ballots. The recount will start on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.

If the recount is not finished on Thursday, December 10, the recount will continue on Friday, December 11 starting at 8:30 a.m.

The recount will take place at the Vance County Board of Elections office located at 300 S. Garnett Street, Henderson, NC. The recount is open to the public; however, space is limited.

In an effort to continue social distancing practices during the COVID–19 pandemic, please RSVP your interest in attending the meeting by email to fgill@vancecounty.org.

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Vance Co. BOE Part of Statewide Recount for NC Supreme Court Justice

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-Press Release, NC State Board of Elections with additional information provided by Vance Co. Board of Elections Director Faye Gill

A statewide recount of more than five million ballots cast in North Carolina’s Supreme Court chief justice contest will begin later this week.

The recount likely will take several days in some counties, and county boards of elections must complete their recounts by Wednesday, November 25, 2020. It is North Carolina’s first statewide recount since the 2016 state auditor’s race, which confirmed the results in that contest.

Democrat Cheri Beasley requested the recount in a letter to the State Board of Elections on Tuesday. Beasley trails Republican Paul Newby by fewer than 400 votes out of nearly 5.4 million cast in the race for the state’s highest court. That puts the race within the 10,000-vote threshold for the trailing candidate to demand a recount.

On Monday night, the State Board of Elections issued guidance to the county boards of elections on the recount process. See Numbered Memo 2020-31 for details on recount procedures.

County boards of elections may begin recounting ballots on Thursday or sooner if they meet the 48-hour public notice requirement.

According to Director Faye Gill, recounts will begin Friday, November 20 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Vance County Board of Elections. The process will continue on Saturday, November 21; Monday, November 23; and Tuesday, November 24 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vance County Board of Elections office. Recounts will also be held on Wednesday, November 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if that day is needed.

All 100 county boards of elections will conduct recounts of their ballots by running them through tabulators. The counties are responsible for recount costs. Counties with recounts for local contests may conduct them at the same time.

Candidates, the media and the general public may attend the recount meetings, subject to space limitations and social distancing requirements. However, the use of video or still cameras by the public inside the recount room while the recount is in progress is not permitted because of the statutory prohibition on photographing or videotaping individual ballots.

County boards of elections may broadcast live video feeds of the recounts. For a recount schedule by county, go here: 2020 Statewide Recount Meetings. This webpage will be updated as counties finalize their recount schedules.

To view the 2020 general election results, go here: Election Results Dashboard.

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Vance Co. Board of Elections to Meet Next Week on Provisional, Absentee Ballots

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-Information courtesy Faye Gill, Vance County Board of Elections

Vance County Board of Elections Director Faye Gill has announced that the Board will meet on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 10 a.m. to review provisional ballots. There are 55 provisional ballots for Vance County.

On Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 5 p.m., the Board will meet to review absentee ballots there were received by 5 p.m. on November 12.

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Majority of Vance Co. Voters Cast Early Ballots

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-Information courtesy Vance County Board of Elections

Saturday, October 31 marked the last day of early voting and the last day to register to vote in the 2020 General Election.

According to Vance County Board of Elections Director Faye Gill, 17,051 Vance County residents, or 58.6 percent, participated in early voting. Vance County currently has 29,075 registered voters.

To vote on Tuesday, November 3 (Election Day), voters should go to their regular, assigned polling place.

With questions, please call the Vance County Board of Elections at (252) 492-3730.

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Approximately 43% of Eligible Vance Co. Voters Have Already Voted

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Board of Elections

As of Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 42.8% of eligible voters in Vance County had already voted (12,654 out of 29,565).

According to the State Board of Elections, 66.3% of eligible voters cast ballots (early and election day votes) in 2016 (20,057 out of 30,254).

Early voting ends Saturday, October 31, 2020, at 3 p.m. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, you MUST go to your assigned polling place to vote. The Henderson Operation Center will not be open for voting on November 3

In Vance County, early voting is being held at the Henderson Operation Center (900 S Beckford Dr., Henderson) and Aycock Recreation Complex (307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson). There is no early voting at the Board of Elections Office due to COVID restrictions.

REMAINING One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for the November 3, 2020 General Election

Locations: Aycock Recreation Complex and Henderson Operation Center

  • Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 30, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 31, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, please call the Vance County Board of Elections at (252) 492-3730 to verify your status.

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Early Voting Ends Saturday; Vance Co. Reports Approx. 11,000 Early Votes

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-Information courtesy Vance County Board of Elections

According to Vance County Board of Elections Director Faye Gill, 10,986 Vance County residents have participated in early voting as of Monday, October 26. Early voting began October 15 and ends October 31, 2020.

In Vance County, early voting is being held at the Henderson Operation Center (900 S Beckford Dr., Henderson) and Aycock Recreation Complex (307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson). There is no early voting at the Board of Elections Office due to COVID restrictions.

You must have “proof of residence;” however, no photo ID is required for this election.

The last regular day to register to vote in the November General Election was Friday, October 9, 2020. If you missed that deadline, you can register and vote at the early voting sites.

REMAINING One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for the November 3, 2020 General Election

Locations: Aycock Recreation Complex and Henderson Operation Center

  • Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 29, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, October 30, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 31, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, please call the Vance County Board of Elections at (252) 492-3730 to verify your status.

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Town Talk 09/30/20: Voting in Vance County – When, Where, How

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Sennica Nicholson, chairperson for the Vance County Board of Elections, and Michele Brigandi, aging program coordinator with the Kerr-Tar Agency on Aging, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m. as part of a paid advertising sponsorship with the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.

Nicholson discussed voting requirements, voter registration, absentee mail-in ballots, early voting and answered some commonly asked questions. “We are in a very busy voting season,” Nicholson stated. “It’s no longer just an election time; we are now in an election season.”

Click Play for the Broadcast Audio

Voting Requirements/Deadlines

Basic voter requirements, according to Nicholson, include being at least 18-years-old, being a U.S. citizen and not being incarcerated.

The last day to register to vote in the November General Election is Friday, October 9, 2020. Forms submitted to the Vance County Board of Elections Office must be received by 5 p.m. on that date.

Early Voting

Those that miss the October 9 deadline can register and vote during one-stop early voting. Early voting begins October 15 and ends October 31, 2020.

Vance County’s early voting will be held at the Henderson Operation Center (900 S Beckford Dr., Henderson) and Aycock Recreation Complex (307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson). There will be no early voting at the Vance County Board of Elections Office for this election due to COVID restrictions.

Proof of residence is required to register to vote; however, no photo ID is required for this election.

Nicholson recommends that all first-time voters, as well as those who haven’t voted in some time, contact their local BOE office to make sure they are “on the books.” If there does appear to be an issue with registration, the BOE office can assist.

Vance Co. One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for the November 3, 2020, General Election

Locations: Aycock Recreation Complex and Henderson Operation Center

  • October 15, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 16, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 17, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • October 18, 2020 – CLOSED
  • October 19, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 20, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 21, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 22, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 23, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 24, 2020 – 1 to 6 p.m.
  • October 25, 2020 – 1 to 6 p.m.
  • October 26, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 27, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 28, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 29, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 30, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • October 31, 2020 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Absentee Mail-In Ballots

Addressing absentee ballots, Nicholson clarified, “Absentee mail-in ballots and voting by mail are the same thing. Anyone in NC can request an absentee ballot as long as they are a registered voter.”

This year, in NC, voters are not required to have a reason or give an explanation for requesting an absentee ballot.

Voters can request an absentee ballot by calling their local BOE office or by visiting the State Board of Elections website, printing the mail-in ballot request form and mailing the completed form to their local BOE. Mail-in request forms will be received by the BOE and logged into the system. An official absentee ballot will then be mailed back to the voter. The voter can then complete the ballot and return their vote by mail to their local BOE.

According to Nicholson, the absentee ballot will include a security sleeve, a self-addressed return envelope and barcodes on the documentation to identify the voter. “All legitimate mailings from your local BOE will be identified with the State BOE seal, as well as your local BOE address and information,” she said.

In Vance County, absentee ballots may be returned by mail from the residence, mailed at a post office, brought in-person to the BOE office or delivered in-person to one of the designated early voting sites during one-stop voting.

Those that initiate the absentee ballot request process and then decide to vote in-person must contact their local BOE to cancel the mail-in process before attempting to vote in-person.

“Once the ballot request has been made, the process has begun for you to be identified as an absentee mail-in voter,” said Nicholson. “If you show up in-person, the system will indicate whether you requested a ballot and the status of that ballot. You cannot show up and try to vote twice.”

Requests for absentee ballots that are sent from the BOE must be initiated by the voter; the BOE will not send absentee ballots without a request.

Nicholson urged caution against using the absentee ballots sent by third parties, which may or may not be legitimate. “I’m encouraging our voters to disregard those notices because they are third-party, and the State BOE is not responsible for those ballots. If you have an envelope and the return address is not going to your local BOE office, I would not use it.”

In the same vein, Nicholson urged caution if registering during voter registration drives held by third parties. “If the organization sponsoring the event is not well-known or well-established, then I would second guess them. A lot of these events are legitimate and they do what they are supposed to do; however, my advice is to always be on the side of caution.”

Additional Notes

Voters with special needs in Vance County may contact the BOE and speak to Director Faye Gill. The BOE has a Multipartisan Assistance Team (MAT) available to help those with special needs register to vote, receive voting materials and fill out ballots.

COVID safety precautions will be taken at voting sites including sanitizing voting booths after each use and supplying one-time use pens. Curbside voting is also an option for senior citizens and the immunocompromised.

The Vance County Board of Elections is located at 300 S. Garnett Street in Henderson, NC. With questions or for additional information, please call the BOE at (252) 492-3730.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

(This edition of Town Talk is part of a paid sponsorship with the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments.)