HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-10-2026 HCBOE Board Meeting Minutes RegularHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
REGIIT,AR MEETING
FEBRUARY IO, 2026
6:30 P.M.
Present: Board Chairman Danny Moody, Secretary fuckie Day, Members: Allison Fenderson,
and Russ Ugone
Staff: Director Claire Jones, Assistant Director Sarah Rathke and Election Technician Kelly
Castleberry
Call to Order
Mr. Moody called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Mr. Day led the prayer and Pledge of
Allegiance.
Public Comment
None.
The Board reviewed the minutes llom the January 6, 2026, Closed Session and the January 27,
2026, Absentee Meeting. Mr. Day moved to approve both sets of minutes, and Mr. Ugone
seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Director Updates
Ballot on Demand
Mrs. Jones provided a status update on the receipt and installation ofthe Ballot on Demand
equipment, brief discussion ensued.
Budget
Mrs. Jones provided an overview ofthe office's Fiscal Year 26-27 budget. Mr. Moody requested
that Mrs. Jones conduct further research on potentially providing raises to staffto ensure that
salaries reflect the demands ofpositions. Moreover, in response to a query by Mr. Ugone, Mrs.
Jones stated that the DS200s have a life of l0 to 15 years and are currently only five years old.
She further indicated that any updates to the machines can be discussed in the future during the
Capital Improvement Plan process.
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Approval of Minutes
Old Business
Mr. Ugone highlighted the Poll Worker Recruitment Plan and indicated that he would be
collaborating with Mrs. Rathke. Ms. Fenderson requested to b€ included in the development of
the plan.
New Business
Election Day Chief Judge Appointments
Mrs. Jones presented the updated tentative Election Day ChiefJudge appointments to members
Following discussion, Mr. Moody requested that Mrs. Jones adjust the Early Voting Worker
schedule and assign more days to an election worker.
Other Business
Mr. Moody made a motion to prohibit staffmembers of the Hamett County Board of Elections
from going into a church or any other building used for religious purposes to conduct any official
business ofthe Hamett County Board ofElections, nor shall any staffmember attend any event
sponsored by any church or religious organization for the purpose of conducting official business
ofthe Board, unless specifically given permission by a majority ofthe Hamett County Board of
Elections.
Mr. Day seconded the motion. The motion carried three to one, with Ms. Fenderson dissenting
Ahsentee Rallot Review
Mrs. Jones presented l2 absentee ballots for review. Following review, Mr. Ugone made a
motion to accept the first batch ofreviewed absentee ballots. Mr. Day seconded the motion, and it
carried unanimously.
Following discussion and review, Mr. Moody moved to accept the second batch ofreviewed
absentee ballots and reject one due to an incomplete ID Exception form. Mr. Ugone seconded the
motion, and it carried unanimously.
Following review, Mr. Day moved to accept the last batch of reviewed absentee ballots. Mr.
Ugone seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Mrs. Jones indicated that the office would contact the voter ofthe rejected ballot and provide a
cure notice.
Early Voling Election Worker Appointments
Following brief discussion, Mr. Day made a motion to approve the Early Voting Election Worker
appointments. Mr. Ugone seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
.a
Closed Session
Mr. Ugone made a motion to move the Board meeting into Closed Session under Ge neral Statute
143.31 8.1 I . The motion was seconded by Ms. Fenderson and carried unanimously.
Mr. Day made a motion to retum to an open session, which was seconded by Ms. Fenderson, and
carried unanimously.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Approved By:
Danny Rickie Day, Secretary
Allison Fenderson, Member Betsy McCormick, Member
Russ Ugone, Member
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