Bladen County Board of Elections puts off hearing on Dowless protest

The Bladen County Board of Elections met on Thursday afternoon to deal with provisional ballots and absentee ballots. Board member Brian Hehl was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting.

There were representatives from the NC GOP, representatives of the Roy Cooper campaign, representatives of the Bladen Improvement PAC, and concerned members of the public, all in attendance to watch the proceedings.

Bladen County Attorney Leslie Johnson told the board that according to the NC General Statutes, a full board would be needed to conduct the hearing.

“I am going to be in touch with the state regarding the investigation and request instructions (on how to proceed) from the state in writing.  After this meeting, I will meet with the Chairman and draft a letter to the state. They are there to help us. I concur with you totally,” said Johnson.

He added there were other issues on the agenda that the board can move forward with, but not the Dowless hearing.

The board then moved to approve the minutes from the last meeting.

Ludlum called on Board of Elections Director Cynthia Shaw regarding the protest from Steve Roberts that was filed on behalf of McRae Dowless.

Shaw said, “I sent this protest out to you (the board members).”

The protest was received this week from Steve Roberts on behalf of McRae Dowless. Shaw said the Board of Elections staff received an amended one this morning (Thursday).

“When did you send it to the board?” asked Board of Elections Secretary Al Daniels.

“I don’t have the email with me where I sent it to the board,” said Shaw.

“Let me suggest that prior to ending this meeting, you bring that back,” said Daniels.

Attorney Matthew Dixon, who represents the Roy Cooper campaign, asked, “Who does Mr. Roberts represent?”

Ludlum said that Roberts represents the Governor’s legal defense fund.

Dixon asked, “He filed the petition on Mr. Dowless’ behalf?”

“Yes,” said Ludlum.

Ludlum then moved to the next agenda item which was an update to the board on post election process.

Shaw said she had received an email from Patrick Gannon who serves as the State Board of Elections Public Information Officer, providing the local board guidance  as they move toward the vote canvass which is supposed to be held on Friday at 11 a.m.

Shaw said here in Bladen County there are 173 provisionals that the board has to either approve or deny and there are some mail absentee ballots which also need approval.

She said she has also contacted the State Board of Elections seeking guidance on whether or not the local board can canvass on Friday.

“I’ve got to find out if can we canvass with this protest going on,” said Shaw. She added that as of the time of Thursday’s meeting, she had not received an answer.

Shaw said the board can move forward with the review of the provisionals and mail absentee ballots.

She noted that the State Board of Elections and NC Department of Motor Vehicles are “having a kind of back and forth” regarding looking up and verifying information contained on provisional ballots. The NC State Board of Elections utilizes among other things, DMV records to help verify a voter’s identity and voting precinct.

“They (SBE) are not getting it back (from DMV) in a timely manner to get it to us,” said Shaw of the information.

She cautioned the board that the vote canvass might or might not take place tomorrow (Friday).

“Directors are talking to other directors and several counties have already requested to have the canvass be postponed,” said Shaw.

The board moved into the process of reviewing the provisional and absentee ballots.