NHC Board of Elections 05-21-2020SPECIAL MEETING
New Hanover County Board of Elections
May 21,2020
4:30 P.M.
ATTENDANCE (Telephonic)
Members:
Staff:
Visitors:
Thomas C. Pollard, Chair
Evelyn A. Bryant, Secretary
Derrick R. Miller, Member
Jonathan W. Washburn, Member
Russ C. Bryan, Member
Rae Hunter-Havens, Elections Director
Somatha W. Fulford, Elections Compliance Specialist
Tufanna Bradley, Assistant County Manager
Kemp Burpeau, Deputy County Attorney
Bob Gatewood, Deborah Dicks Maxwell
OPENING
Chair Pollard called the Special meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. The meeting was held via
teleconference. All members were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Pollard moved that the Agenda be approved as submitted. Motion carried unanimously"
PUBLIC COMMENT AND OUESTIONS
There were no public comments.
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of NC State Board of Elections representation of counfy boards - NAACP v.
NC State Board of Elections and New Hanover Counfy Board of Elections
Chair Pollard stated that the meeting was convened to take action on needed representation
against the above-referenced lawsuit that seeks to decertify and prevent use of the Express Vote
ballot marking device, which New Hanover County used in the 2020 Primary Election. The State
Board and2l county boards of elections are being sued. Members received copies of information
Board Minutes - 512112020
regarding the lawsuit and the State Board of Election's authority prior to the meeting. N.C. Gen.
Stat. 55 163-25 and 163-22(a) authorize the State Board to represent and assist county boards of
elections in litigation. The Affected County Boards and their county attorneys are required to
assist the State Board Legal team with litigation preparation as needed. There being no questions
or additional comments concerning the lawsuit, Chair Pollard called for the motion and a voice
vote from each member:
Member Bryan moved that the Resolution Requesting State Board of Elections Assistance in
Litigation Pursuant to G.S. 59 163-25 and 163-22(a) be approved. Chair Pollard voted "Aye";
Secretary Bryant voted "Aye"; Member Miller voted "Aye"; Member Washburn voted "Aye";
and Member Bryan voted "Aye." Motion carried unanimously.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Chair Pollard commented that staff have been considering potential issues due to COVID-l9 that
could impact safety of the voting process. He anticipates the subject being discussed at the next
meeting. Member Washburn asked if there was anything that had or had not been done, with
regard to absentee voting in North Carolina, that is apartof the recent national controversy.
Chair Pollard stated that the increased attention and conversation may be in efforts to have a
national debate on whether absentee-by-mail should be used increasingly as a voting option.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Pollard moved that the meeting be adjourne d at 4:45 p.m. The next Regular meeting of the
Board will be held on June 9, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
htl,rrA,3VA
EVELYN A. BRYANT
SECRETARY
RAE HUNTER-HAVENS
ELECTIONS DIRECTOR
Board Minutes - 5 121 12020