HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCBOE Board Meeting Minutes- September 29, 2020- Absentee MeetingHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
ABSENTEE BOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
5:00 P.M.
Present were; Board Chairman Tony Spears, Secretary Lin Coker, Members: Steve Blackburn,
Betsy McCormick and Jim Currin.
Also Present were; Director Claire Jones, Deputy Director Claudette Williams, Board of
Elections staff, Chaya Clinton, Blake Wilsey and Part Time Office Aides, Jessica Higginbotham
and Lisa McNeill; see sign in sheet attached hereto.
Mr. Spears called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes:
The Board reviewed the minutes from September 1, 2020. Mr. Currin moved to approve the
minutes. Mr. Lin Coker seconded. Approved without dissent.
Business:
The Board discussed the need to adopt a formal policy regarding the review and approval of
absentee ballots. Mr. Currin moved to adopt a policy where the Board does not review individual
ballot envelopes that have been recommended for approval by staff; however, the Board will
spot check them. Mr. Coker seconded. Approved without dissent.
Mrs. McCormick moved to authorize the Board to sign a cover sheet containing a list of
approved or disapproved absentee ballots in lieu of signing each ballot envelope. Mr. Blackburn
seconded. Approved without dissent.
The Board reviewed 5 absentee ballots that had a deficiency. Per numbered memo 2020-19,
these voters were sent and returned a cure affidavit. However, due to pending court concerns Mr.
Currin moved to hold them and take no action on the ballots until the next Board meeting. Mr.
Coker seconded. Approved 4-1 with Mr. Spears dissenting.
The Board reviewed the absentee list, attached hereto. Mr. Currin moved to approve. Mr. Coker
seconded. Approved without dissent.
The Board reviewed the Military and Overseas ballots that were duplicated per the duplication
policy.
The Board opened and signed the Absentee Machine tapes. 2,390 ballots were listed to be
approved; however, 12 were found to be missing the witness information and were subtracted
from the approved list. Mrs. Jones stated she would bring a corrected list to the next meeting. A
total of 2,378 ballots were run through the machine.
Absentee ballots were run through 3 machines. One machine had about 3 ballot jams.
The final total was 2381. The Board agreed to have the ballots run through again.
After the ballots were run through the machine the second time the final count was 2378.
Mrs. Jones updated the Board on several election related items:
• Federal government giving Election Day workers $100 hazard pay bonus.
0 2 Additional Part time Office Aides added
• 226 Poll Workers after the last training
• 3 additional trainings, Oct 2 and Oct 3.
• $79,000 Additional Grant due to Covid-19
With no further business to discuss, Mr. Currin moved to adjourn. Mr. Blackburn seconded. The
meeting was adjourned at 10:55pm.
The next meeting of the Board will be an Absentee meeting on October 6, 2020 at 5:00 pm at the
Harnett County Administration Building.
Approved by:
- 61 Z�S 4,
Tony S ears, airman
Lin Coker, Secretary
Steve Blackburn, Member
Betsy McCormick, Member
*Unr-in, Member
4
Harnett County Board of Elections
308 W. Duncan Street Lillington, NC 27546
Meeting Date:
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