In a 3-2 vote Wednesday morning, the N.C. State Board of Elections vacated a decision of the Vance County Board of Elections, paving the way for candidate Kelley Wade Perdue to remain a candidate for the District 4 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Dan Brummitt had challenged Perdue’s residency in District 4, prompting the county board of elections to hold an evidentiary hearing on Jan. 22. The board voted 4-1 that Perdue hadn’t proved her case that she resides or maintains a domicile with District 4, but rather in District 2.
At Wednesday morning’s hearing, the state board of elections heard from Perdue’s attorney, Steven Walker. Perdue was present at the online meeting but did not address the panel.
Walker reviewed evidence that Perdue had provided showing the District 4 address on documents ranging from a driver license and voter registration to property, utility and bank records – all showing the same District 4 address.
Walker stated that she had temporarily moved her residence – and voter registration – because of illness, “but always intended for her domicile to be in District 4.”
Perdue renewed her driver license and voter registration in September 2024. Both reflect the District 4 address.
Looking at the whole record in this case, Walker asserted that the Vance County Board of Elections had come to the “wrong conclusion” and asked the panel to reverse the local board’s decision.
A motion by Stacy “Four” Eggers, IV to uphold the earlier decision failed 3-2 and a subsequent motion by Jeff Carmon to vacate the local board’s decision passed 3-2.
Perdue told WIZS News Wednesday she was grateful that the appeals process worked as it was intended and that her appeal was ultimately upheld.
“This experience reaffirmed an important principle: when citizens believe their rights have been compromised, they deserve a fair, lawful, and transparent process to seek resolution,” Perdue said.
“Throughout this appeal, I stood firm, followed the law, and respectfully pursued every available avenue to protect my rights—not just for myself, but because those same protections must exist for every citizen of Vance County. The rule of law matters most when it is tested, and this process demonstrated why due process and accountability are essential to our local democracy.
“As a candidate for the Vance County Board of Commissioners, District 4, this experience has only strengthened my commitment to stand up for fairness, equal treatment, and the rights of the people I seek to serve. Just as I fought for my own rights through the proper legal channels, I will bring that same determination, integrity, and persistence to advocating for the citizens of Vance County.”
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