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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard Meeting Agenda Packet 09-10-2024MEETING AGENDA Date: September 10, 2024 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Bd of Elections Office, Long Leaf Room Type: Regular Scheduled Attendees: Derrick R. Miller, Chair Rae Hunter-Havens, Director James Battle Morgan, Jr. Secretary Noelle Powers, Database & Systems Specialist Natalie Hinton-Stalling, Member Joan Geiszler-Ludlum, Administrative Technician Bruce Kemp, Member Tom S. Morris, Member Visitor(s): Tufanna Bradley, Assistant County Manager; Kemp Burpeau, Deputy County Attorney AGENDA ITEMS 1.Meeting Opening a.Call to Order b.Pledge of Allegiance c.Approval of Agenda d.Approval of Minutes (08/28/2024) 2.Public Comment Period •2-minute limit •20-minute limit total 3.Director Update a.Financial Update b.List Maintenance 4.New Business a.2024 General Election Notice b.Resolution to Adopt a Time to Count Ballots c.Appointment of Precinct Officials 5.Closed Session (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6)) 6.General Discussion •Other Elections-Related Matters 7.Adjournment *Agenda packets are sent via email in advance of meetings. Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Approval of Agenda Summary: N/A Board Action Required: Staff recommends approval Item # 1c Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Approval of Minutes Applicable Statutes and/or Rules N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-31(e) and 143-318.10(e) Summary: This includes minutes from the 8/28/2024 meeting. Board Action Required: Staff recommends approval Item # 1d Item # 1d Board Minutes – 08/28/2024 Page | 1 SPECIAL MEETING New Hanover County Board of Elections August 28, 2024 5:30 P.M. ATTENDANCE Members: Derrick R. Miller, Chair James Battle Morgan, Jr., Secretary Natalie Hinton-Stalling, Member Bruce Kemp, Member Tom Morris, Member Staff: Rae Hunter-Havens, Executive Director Caroline Dawkins, Deputy Director Noelle Powers, Elections Systems Administrator Joan Geiszler-Ludlum, Administrative Elections Technician Visitors: Tufanna Bradley, Assistant County Manager; Kemp Burpeau, Deputy County Attorney Public Attendees: Wendy Hunt, NHCDP; Kathryn Hedgepeth, League of Women Voters LCF; Andre Tucker, NC Dems; Kim Jones, NC Dems; Matthew Emborsky, NHC GOP Virtual Attendees: Denise Brown 1. MEETING OPENING a. Call to Order Chair Miller called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The New Hanover County Board of Elections meeting was held in the Board of Elections office, Long Leaf Room, 1241A Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC. All members were present. Chair Miller reminded the audience to silence their cell phones; that the meeting is being recorded and live streamed over the internet; that members of the audience should speak only when invited; and to limit crosstalk during Board discussion. b. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Miller called on the audience to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Minutes – 08/28/2024 Page | 2 c. Approval of Agenda Member Kemp moved to amend the agenda as submitted to take up General Discussion after New Business and before entering Closed Session for the convenience of the public and virtual attendees. Director Hunter-Havens suggested moving the General Discussion to follow the Director’s Updates and before New Business because the personnel matters to be considered in Closed Session are related to the appointment of Early Voting officials. Hearing no objections, Chair Miller said the Board would address General Discussion after the Director’s Updates and before New Business. The agenda is adopted as amended. d. Approval of Minutes Chair Miller requested correction of the time that the Board entered Closed Session to discuss personnel matters and called for any other corrections. Hearing none, Chair Miller said the Minutes are approved as corrected without objection. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Chair Miller called upon the public attendees for their comments or questions, limited to two minutes each with a total maximum time of ten minutes. Chair Miller acknowledged receiving an email from Matthew Emborsky on behalf of the NHC GOP with a list of 7 questions. Chair Miller said the Director would respond to those questions by email. Chair Miller asked Mr. Emborsky if he had any additional comments. Mr. Emborsky repeated his concerns about the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) random sampling of precincts and voting methods for the post-Election Sample Audit Count. He contended again that over the previous 10 years, the Sample Audit Count has not included Early Voting ballots nor Absentee ballots. Chair Miller said this question has been asked and answered before, and this county follows the NCSBE guidance. Seeing and hearing no other public or virtual attendees wishing to comment, Chair Miller closed the Public Comment period. 3. DIRECTOR UPDATE a. Financial Update Director Hunter-Havens presented the budget update through the month of July. Primary activity is encumbrance of expenditures, such as printing and leasing, for the 2024 General Election. b. List Maintenance The Director reported that July list maintenance activities resulted in removal of 1,137 voter registrations consistent with NC Gen. Stat. § 163-82.14, and processed 1,783 new voter registrations, 1,387 registrations without changes, and 2,029 registration updates. Board Minutes – 08/28/2024 Page | 3 In addition, 2,400 registration verification cards were mailed. The agenda packet includes additional information about the sources of registration, snapshots of administrative processes, and breakdowns of county voter registration data. In addition to the monthly list maintenance activities, the semi-annual National Change of Address (NCOA) required mailing 2,543 address verification/update requests based on the list of address changes provided by the U. S. Postal Service. Member Morris asked how many staff members are involved in list maintenance activities. Director Hunter-Havens said 2 staff members are involved full-time year- round and during the busy election season, 12 to 15 full-time and part-time employees. • NC State Board of Elections Summer Conference The Director advised the Board that the 2025 NCSBE Summer Conference will be held at the Wilmington Convention Center on Monday and Tuesday, July 28 and 29. 6. GENERAL DISCUSSION Chair Miller called on the Board members for any election-related discussion. Member Morris asked about the basis for the NCSBE selecting the precincts for the Sample Audit Count (SAC). Chair Miller referred him to previous minutes and agenda packets where the SAC and the statutory requirements have been discussed in detail, including the statutory basis for the process. 4. NEW BUSINESS • Appointment of Early Voting Officials Director Hunter-Havens reviewed the process for selection and assignment of Early Voting officials and reminded the Board that discussions of election personnel must occur in closed session. She sent notices on August 7 to the chairs of the county political parties to submit their recommendations by August 21. The notice included the staff’s proposed list of officials. After review, Chair Miller noted that there were several applicants whose qualifications needed to be considered in closed session. He moved to appoint the recommended Early Voting assistants including the party recommendations who have completed the on- boarding process, seconded by Member Kemp. Hearing no discussion of the motion, Chair Miller called the vote. Motion carried unanimously. 5. CLOSED SESSION (N. C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6)) Chair Miller moved to enter closed session to discuss personnel matters pursuant to NC Gen. Stat. §143-318.11(6), seconded by Member Kemp. Motion carried unanimously. Closed session began at 6:04 p.m. Board Minutes – 08/28/2024 Page | 4 The Board returned to open session at 7:02 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT Chair Miller said the business of the agenda is concluded and called for a motion to adjourn. Member Morris moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Hinton-Stalling. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. The next Board meeting is scheduled to be held on September 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., at the Board of Elections office, Long Leaf Room, 1241A Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC. APPROVED BY: RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: _______________________________ ______________________________ JAMES BATTLE MORGAN, JR. RAE HUNTER-HAVENS SECRETARY ELECTIONS DIRECTOR Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Public Comment Period Summary: This is an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments on elections-related matters. Each commenter will be limited to two minutes. There is a limit of 20 minutes total for the public comment period. Board Action Required: Discuss as necessary Item # 2 Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Director’s Report Summary: a. Financial Update The attached YTD FY24-25 budget report provides the Board with a financial update through the 2nd period (August) of this fiscal year. I have also included a YTD FY23-24 budget report that outlines all expenditures from the last fiscal year. Regarding the FY23-24 budget, there are overages in all “Salaries & Benefits” and several “Operating Expenses” line items. Additional funds were not transferred into our budget to pay for all unplanned expenditures related to election official staffing for the 2024 Second Primary Election. These expenses were paid using a different source of revenue other than funds available in the elections budget. In addition, we continue to have an overage in cellular expense due to a known billing issue with the vendor. Per the vendor, we should receive credit for this billing error soon. Lastly, the small overages in lease, subscription software, and advertising costs are the result of rate increases that occurred since the submission of the FY23- 24 requested budget. I will incorporate projected rate increases into our future budget requests. b. List Maintenance Update Per data provided from the Statewide Elections Information Management System (SEIMS), the New Hanover County Board of Elections completed the following in August 2024: • Removed 1,169 voters from the voter registration rolls consistent with NC Gen. Stat. §163-82.14. • Processed 2,498 new registrations, 2,032 duplicate registrations, and 2.461 registration updates. Document/s Included: Year-To-Date FY24-25 Budget Report 2nd Period (August), Year-To-Date Budget Report FY23-24 (All Periods), NVRA Report (August 2024) Board Action Required: Discuss as necessary Item # 2 Item # 3 NEW HANOVER COUNTY - LIVE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET REPORT Report generated: 09/03/2024 15:40User: rhavensProgram ID: glytdbud Page 1 FOR 2025 02 ACCOUNTS FOR: ORIGINAL TRANFRS/ REVISED AVAILABLE PCT110 GENERAL FUND APPROP ADJSTMTS BUDGET YTD EXPENDED ENCUMBRANCES BUDGET USED 16 BOARD OF ELECTIONS 60 SALARIES & BENEFITS 11016100 610000 SALARIES AND WA 564,622 0 564,622 74,284.11 .00 490,337.89 13.2% 11016100 611500 CASUAL PART TIM 360,373 0 360,373 3,603.77 .00 356,769.23 1.0% 11016100 611600 OVERTIME PAY (O 9,932 0 9,932 96.81 .00 9,835.19 1.0% 11016100 621000 SOCIAL SECURITY 42,813 0 42,813 5,762.19 .00 37,050.81 13.5% 11016100 622000 RETIREMENT-LOCA 76,959 0 76,959 10,138.10 .00 66,820.90 13.2% 11016100 623500 GENERAL 401-K M 13,619 0 13,619 1,859.55 .00 11,759.45 13.7% 11016100 625000 MEDICAL INSURAN 87,336 0 87,336 9,343.99 .00 77,992.01 10.7% 11016100 626000 LONG TERM DISAB 1,471 0 1,471 128.51 .00 1,342.49 8.7% TOTAL SALARIES & BENEFITS 1,157,125 0 1,157,125 105,217.03 .00 1,051,907.97 9.1% 70 OPERATING EXPENSES 11016100 700000 CONTR SERVS 128,063 0 128,063 .00 56,206.08 71,856.92 43.9% 11016100 700328 LEASE EXPENSE 48,385 0 48,385 12,244.17 34,959.42 1,181.41 97.6% 11016100 700329 SUBSCRIPTION SO 16,542 0 16,542 .00 .00 16,542.00 .0% 11016100 700330 RENT 67,599 0 67,599 .00 3,870.00 63,729.00 5.7% 11016100 700350 ADVERTISING COS 2,250 0 2,250 .00 .00 2,250.00 .0% 11016100 700365 CELLULAR EXPENS 17,819 0 17,819 2,409.12 .00 15,409.88 13.5% 11016100 700370 POSTAGE EXPENSE 105,083 0 105,083 4,610.88 54,570.00 45,902.12 56.3% 11016100 700430 M&R-EQUIPMENT 70,371 0 70,371 .00 68,167.63 2,203.37 96.9% 11016100 700500 PRINTING 88,297 0 88,297 318.20 23,816.53 64,162.27 27.3% 11016100 700512 PRINTER-COPIER 51,507 0 51,507 2,044.83 .00 49,462.17 4.0% 11016100 700520 SUPPLIES 11,954 0 11,954 1,261.62 2,772.05 7,920.33 33.7% 11016100 700542 SUPPLIES-COMPUT 2,600 0 2,600 619.99 .00 1,980.01 23.8% 11016100 700700 DUES & SUBSCRIP 125 0 125 .00 .00 125.00 .0% 11016100 700825 EMPLOYEE REIMBU 2,500 0 2,500 169.88 .00 2,330.12 6.8% 11016100 700905 TRAINING & TRAV 8,700 0 8,700 2,360.00 .00 6,340.00 27.1% TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 621,795 0 621,795 26,038.69 244,361.71 351,394.60 43.5% TOTAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS 1,778,920 0 1,778,920 131,255.72 244,361.71 1,403,302.57 21.1% TOTAL GENERAL FUND 1,778,920 0 1,778,920 131,255.72 244,361.71 1,403,302.57 21.1% TOTAL EXPENSES 1,778,920 0 1,778,920 131,255.72 244,361.71 1,403,302.57 NEW HANOVER COUNTY - LIVE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET REPORT Report generated: 09/03/2024 15:40User: rhavensProgram ID: glytdbud Page 2 FOR 2025 02 ORIGINAL TRANFRS/ REVISED AVAILABLE PCT APPROP ADJSTMTS BUDGET YTD EXPENDED ENCUMBRANCES BUDGET USED GRAND TOTAL 1,778,920 0 1,778,920 131,255.72 244,361.71 1,403,302.57 21.1% ** END OF REPORT - Generated by RAE HUNTER-HAVENS ** NEW HANOVER COUNTY - LIVE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET REPORT Report generated: 09/03/2024 15:38User: rhavensProgram ID: glytdbud Page 1 FOR 2024 99 ACCOUNTS FOR: ORIGINAL TRANFRS/ REVISED AVAILABLE PCT110 GENERAL FUND APPROP ADJSTMTS BUDGET YTD EXPENDED ENCUMBRANCES BUDGET USED 16 BOARD OF ELECTIONS 60 SALARIES & BENEFITS 11016100 610000 SALARIES AND WA 524,570 0 524,570 544,050.52 .00 -19,480.52 103.7% 11016100 611500 CASUAL PART TIM 290,930 70,000 360,930 439,020.69 .00 -78,090.69 121.6% 11016100 611600 OVERTIME PAY (O 7,860 0 7,860 8,898.96 .00 -1,038.96 113.2% 11016100 621000 SOCIAL SECURITY 39,835 0 39,835 45,594.73 .00 -5,759.73 114.5% 11016100 622000 RETIREMENT-LOCA 67,617 0 67,617 71,487.88 .00 -3,870.88 105.7% 11016100 623500 GENERAL 401-K M 13,114 0 13,114 13,824.01 .00 -710.01 105.4% 11016100 625000 MEDICAL INSURAN 77,192 0 77,192 76,655.55 .00 536.45 99.3% 11016100 626000 LONG TERM DISAB 890 0 890 941.16 .00 -51.16 105.7% TOTAL SALARIES & BENEFITS 1,022,008 70,000 1,092,008 1,200,473.50 .00 -108,465.50 109.9% 70 OPERATING EXPENSES 11016100 700000 CONTR SERVS 196,112 37,425 233,537 183,527.18 .00 50,009.82 78.6% 11016100 700328 LEASE EXPENSE 45,559 2,500 48,059 48,134.63 .00 -75.63 100.2% 11016100 700329 SUBSCRIPTION SO 15,792 0 15,792 16,260.17 .00 -468.17 103.0% 11016100 700330 RENT 76,952 29,624 106,576 86,381.50 .00 20,194.50 81.1% 11016100 700350 ADVERTISING COS 3,751 1,300 5,051 5,303.26 .00 -252.26 105.0% 11016100 700365 CELLULAR EXPENS 11,400 0 11,400 17,003.54 .00 -5,603.54 149.2% 11016100 700370 POSTAGE EXPENSE 56,294 -2,323 53,971 50,142.28 .00 3,828.72 92.9% 11016100 700430 M&R-EQUIPMENT 65,461 0 65,461 65,460.94 .00 .06 100.0% 11016100 700500 PRINTING 84,715 28,932 113,647 87,160.80 .00 26,486.20 76.7% 11016100 700512 PRINTER-COPIER 6,750 0 6,750 6,008.40 .00 741.60 89.0% 11016100 700520 SUPPLIES 68,648 392 69,040 38,490.29 .00 30,549.71 55.8% 11016100 700542 SUPPLIES-COMPUT 1,600 0 1,600 71.04 .00 1,528.96 4.4% 11016100 700700 DUES & SUBSCRIP 150 0 150 .00 .00 150.00 .0% 11016100 700825 EMPLOYEE REIMBU 2,125 2,000 4,125 3,167.84 .00 957.16 76.8% 11016100 700905 TRAINING & TRAV 5,160 1,455 6,615 5,842.92 .00 772.08 88.3% 11016100 701050 INSURANCE&BONDS 40,638 0 40,638 28,503.54 .00 12,134.46 70.1% TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 681,107 101,305 782,412 641,458.33 .00 140,953.67 82.0% 75 DEBT SERVICE 11016100 701130 PRINCIPAL ON LE 0 3,948 3,948 3,947.59 .00 .41 100.0% NEW HANOVER COUNTY - LIVE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET REPORT Report generated: 09/03/2024 15:38User: rhavensProgram ID: glytdbud Page 2 FOR 2024 99 ACCOUNTS FOR: ORIGINAL TRANFRS/ REVISED AVAILABLE PCT110 GENERAL FUND APPROP ADJSTMTS BUDGET YTD EXPENDED ENCUMBRANCES BUDGET USED 11016100 701135 INTEREST ON LEA 0 87 87 87.29 .00 -.29 100.3% TOTAL DEBT SERVICE 0 4,035 4,035 4,034.88 .00 .12 100.0% TOTAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS 1,703,115 175,340 1,878,455 1,845,966.71 .00 32,488.29 98.3% TOTAL GENERAL FUND 1,703,115 175,340 1,878,455 1,845,966.71 .00 32,488.29 98.3% TOTAL EXPENSES 1,703,115 175,340 1,878,455 1,845,966.71 .00 32,488.29 NEW HANOVER COUNTY - LIVE YEAR-TO-DATE BUDGET REPORT Report generated: 09/03/2024 15:38User: rhavensProgram ID: glytdbud Page 3 FOR 2024 99 ORIGINAL TRANFRS/ REVISED AVAILABLE PCT APPROP ADJSTMTS BUDGET YTD EXPENDED ENCUMBRANCES BUDGET USED GRAND TOTAL 1,703,115 175,340 1,878,455 1,845,966.71 .00 32,488.29 98.3% ** END OF REPORT - Generated by RAE HUNTER-HAVENS ** NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS NVRA REPORT Reporting Period:-8/1/2024 8/31/2024 Totals Active 158,967 Inactive 26,341 Total Registration 185,308 REPORTING PERIOD Registrations Approved 1,773 Total Registrations Removed 1,169 Inactive Registrations Removed 271 New Registrations 00 - No Application Source 15 01 - Public Assistance 35 02 - Disability 2 03 - Other (ESC) 0 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 1,063 06 - Mail-in 100 07 - In-person 104 08 - Library & High School 0 09 - Spanish Language Application 1 10 - Online Registration 516 17 - Registration Drives 640 21 - Medicaid Renewal 0 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 0 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 22 2,498 Duplicates 00 - No Application Source 107 01 - Public Assistance 14 02 - Disability 0 03 - Other (ESC) 0 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 316 06 - Mail-in 925 07 - In-person 77 08 - Library & High School 0 09 - Spanish Language Application 0 10 - Online Registration 208 17 - Registration Drives 177 21 - Medicaid Renewal 0 95 - Voter Return of NCOA 189 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 1 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 12 98 - Voter Change On Confirmation 3 vtr_nvra_stat.rpt Page 1 of 5Sep 06, 2024 12:53 pm NVRA REPORTNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS 99 - Voter Change On Verification 3 2,032 vtr_nvra_stat.rpt Page 2 of 5Sep 06, 2024 12:53 pm NVRA REPORTNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS Changes of Information 00 - No Application Source 298 01 - Public Assistance 30 02 - Disability 0 03 - Other (ESC) 0 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 745 06 - Mail-in 430 07 - In-person 84 08 - Library & High School 0 09 - Spanish Language Application 0 10 - Online Registration 490 17 - Registration Drives 247 21 - Medicaid Renewal 2 95 - Voter Return of NCOA 1 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 0 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 134 98 - Voter Change On Confirmation 0 99 - Voter Change On Verification 0 2,461 Verifications # of 1st & 2nd verification mailings sent 5,506 # of 1st NCOA mailings sent 0 # of 1st verification returned undeliverable 2,111 # of verification returned by voter 3 Confirmations # of confirmations returned by voter 3 # of confirmations sent 1,940 # of confirmations returned undeliverable 9 # of confirmations not returned at all 1 COUNTY STATISTICAL Constitution 0 Democratic 50,640 Green 83 Justice For All 0 Libertarian 1,453 No Labels 437 Republican 54,671 Unaffiliated 78,020 We The People 4 American Indian 412 Asian 1,547 Black 19,258 Multi-Racial 837 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 16 White 141,772 Other 4,767 Undesignated 16,699 vtr_nvra_stat.rpt Page 3 of 5Sep 06, 2024 12:53 pm NVRA REPORTNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS Hispanic 4,491 Not Hispanic 116,791 Undesignated 64,026 Female 90,266 Male 76,515 Undesignated 18,527 Unprocessed Registrations - Incomplete Queue 00 - No Application Source 64 01 - Public Assistance 14 02 - Disability 0 03 - Other (ESC) 0 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 172 06 - Mail-in 30 07 - In-person 18 08 - Library & High School 1 09 - Spanish Language Application 1 10 - Online Registration 14 17 - Registration Drives 312 21 - Medicaid Renewal 1 95 - Voter Return of NCOA 18 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 0 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 18 98 - Voter Change On Confirmation 0 99 - Voter Change On Verification 2 Unprocessed Registrations - Archive Queue 00 - No Application Source 2 01 - Public Assistance 0 02 - Disability 0 03 - Other (ESC) 0 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 0 06 - Mail-in 2 07 - In-person 0 08 - Library & High School 0 09 - Spanish Language Application 0 10 - Online Registration 0 17 - Registration Drives 1 21 - Medicaid Renewal 0 95 - Voter Return of NCOA 0 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 0 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 0 98 - Voter Change On Confirmation 0 99 - Voter Change On Verification 0 Unprocessed Registrations - Review Queue 00 - No Application Source 2 01 - Public Assistance 0 02 - Disability 0 03 - Other (ESC) 0 vtr_nvra_stat.rpt Page 4 of 5Sep 06, 2024 12:53 pm NVRA REPORTNEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS 04 - Armed Forces 0 05 - DMV 23 06 - Mail-in 3 07 - In-person 2 08 - Library & High School 0 09 - Spanish Language Application 0 10 - Online Registration 0 17 - Registration Drives 0 21 - Medicaid Renewal 1 96 - Temporary FWAB Registrant 0 97 - Temporary FPCA Registrant 1 vtr_nvra_stat.rpt Page 5 of 5Sep 06, 2024 12:53 pm Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: 2024 General Election Notice Applicable Statutes and/or Rules N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-33(8) Summary: County Boards of Election across North Carolina are required to place a legal notice in the paper that informs voters of the upcoming election. This notice must be run in a newspaper having general circulation in the county once a week during the 20-day period preceding the voter registration deadline. Document/s Included: 2024 General Election Notice (Provided at meeting) Board Action Required: Staff recommends approval Item # 2 Item # 4a Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Resolution to Adopt a Time for Counting Absentee Ballots Applicable Statutes and/or Rules: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-234(2), 163- 234(11), and 163-182.2(a)(4), and Session Law 2023-140 (S747) Summary: The New Hanover County Board of Elections must adopt a resolution for the counting of absentee ballots for the 2024 General Election if the counting of absentee ballots will begin prior to 5:00 PM on Election Day. The Board may begin counting all absentee ballots approved by the Board between the hours of 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Election Day upon the adoption of a resolution at least two weeks prior to the election in which the hour and place of the counting absentee ballots shall be stated. In addition, the Board may pass a resolution to provide for an additional meeting following Election Day and prior to canvass to count the supplemental absentee and provisional ballots approved by the Board. Attached is a resolution to adopt a time for counting absentee ballots, at 2:00 PM on November 5 and 14, 2024. This resolution must be run in a paper having general circulation in the county once weekly during the two-week period prior to the election. Document/s Included: Resolution to Adopt a Time for Counting Absentee Ballots Board Action Required: Staff recommends approval Item # 2 Item # 4b RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TIME FOR COUNTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS At a meeting duly called and held on the 10th day of September 2024, the New Hanover County Board of Elections unanimously adopted the following resolution: WHEREAS the county board of elections is authorized upon adoption of a resolution to begin counting of absentee ballots between the hours of 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm on Election Day; WHEREAS such resolution also may provide for an additional meeting following the day of the election and prior to the day of canvass to count absentee ballots received pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-231(b)(1) or (2); WHEREAS the time and dates designated for these meetings will be at 2:00 pm, on November 5 and November 14, for the purpose of counting absentee ballots; WHEREAS the location of these meetings shall be at the New Hanover County Board of Elections Office, 1241A Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC 28405; WHEREAS the board shall not announce the results of the count before 7:30 pm on Election Day; WHEREAS these meetings are open to all who may want to attend; and, WHEREAS the adoption of this resolution is in compliance with North Carolina General Statutes §§ 163-234(2) and 163-234(11) will be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county within the statutory time frame. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the New Hanover County Board of Elections hereby unanimously approves the Counting of Absentee Ballots for the 2024 General Election to begin at 2:00 pm on November 5 and 14. Derrick R. Miller, Chair StarNews Publication – October 22nd & October 29th Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Appointment of Precinct Officials Applicable Statutes and/or Rules: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 163-41 and 163-42 Summary: The party chair of the NHC Republican Party has submitted a list of nominees for appointment by the board as precinct officials on Election Day. The board will be presented with a list of nominees submitted by the NHC Republican Party and an update will be provided by staff. Document/s Included: NHC Republican Party Chair Emails and List of Nominees (Provided at meeting) Board Action Required: Discuss as Necessary Item # 2 Item # 4c Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: Closed Session Chairman Statement Prior to Closed Session: I move that the Board enter into closed session, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6) to discuss personnel matters. Applicable Statutes and/or Rules: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6) Summary: Closed session is required to discuss personnel matters under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6). Board Action Required: Discuss as necessary Returning to Open Session: I move that the Board return to open session, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(6), to conduct business remaining before the Board. Item # 2 Item # 5 Regular Meeting New Hanover County Board of Elections September 10, 2024 Subject: General Discussion Summary: This is an opportunity for discussion on other elections-related matters not included in the meeting agenda. Board Action Required: Discuss as necessary Item # 6